Businesses from various sectors have expressed their support for Indonesia's active participation in the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty to combat plastic pollution. This support was conveyed ahead of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to be held in Busan, South Korea, from 25 November to 1 December 2024.
The Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty (BCGPT) made the announcement in a press release in Jakarta on Thursday ( November 21) following a meeting with the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq. The discussion centred on the implementation of Regulation No. P.75/2019 on waste reduction by producers.
The global initiative for a plastic pollution treaty began during the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in March 2022, where 175 countries agreed to develop an International Legally Binding Instrument (ILBI) to address plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
Indonesia’s Plastic Pollution Problem
The global plastic waste crisis, particularly plastic pollution, demands urgent action. The equivalent of 2,000 truckloads of plastic waste enters aquatic ecosystems every day, with 19-23 million tonnes of plastic entering lakes, rivers and oceans each year, according to UNEP.
In Indonesia, the Ministry of Industry reported that the volume of plastic raw materials reached 7,965 tonnes in 2021, but the recycling rate was only 12% in 2022. In 2023, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry reported that 76.6% of waste in Indonesia ended up in landfills and 54.4% in open dumps.
Data from the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN) also showed that the use of plastics in Indonesia increased from 16.74% in 2019 to 19.59% in 2023. Without immediate action, Indonesia's landfills are projected to exceed capacity by 2028.
Although the Indonesian government has set ambitious targets to reduce marine waste and plastic pollution by 30% and 70% respectively by 2025 through 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) initiatives, available data shows that significant challenges remain.
A 2020 study by TKNPSL estimates that 0.615 million tonnes of plastic waste will still enter the ocean each year. By the end of 2023, BAPPENAS data showed that the reduction of plastic waste entering the ocean had only reached 41.68%, far below the target.
Global Treaty for Plastics
In the run-up to INC-5, the BCGPT has emphasised the importance of a legally binding agreement covering the full life cycle of plastics to effectively address pollution. INC-5 is expected to be a pivotal moment for stakeholders, with the Global Plastics Treaty envisioned as an international instrument to support the global green economy.
The ILBI is designed to ensure an inclusive and equitable transition and to minimise risks, particularly for MSMEs and informal workers in the waste management sector. Since October 2024, Indonesia has been gathering input for a draft treaty that will serve as the basis for diplomatic discussions at INC-5, involving several ministries and relevant stakeholders.
