PLASTIC INDUSTRIES CALL FOR REVIEW OF PLASTIC BAG BAN

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Dec 13 (Antara) - Plastic waste is difficult to decompose and poses a serious threat to the environment.          Therefore, the government hopes to find solutions to the problem of plastic waste, especially plastic bags that are widely used in shopping centers in Indonesia.         Now many cities in Indonesia are starting to implement regulations that prohibit or limit the use of plastic bags by the shopping centers.         However, the ban on the use of plastic bags will have a negative impact on the plastic industry business. Therefore, the Indonesian Plastic Industry Association (Inaplas) has asked regional governments to review the regulation.          Deputy Chairman of Inaplas, Suhat Miyarso, rejected the ban on plastic shopping bags introduced by several regional heads and requested for a review of the policy.          "Inaplas urged that the policy be replaced by efforts to improve the performance of waste management with all stakeholders," Miyarso stated during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday (Dec 11).         Miyarso added that Inaplas appreciated the government's efforts to tackle the waste problem, as well as its concern about the behavior of the plastic users who were ignorant of the environment.