Last modified: 2022-06-06
Abstract
Garbage has become a very serious problem in Indonesia, one of which is plastic waste. Indonesian Plastic Industry Association (INAPLAS) and the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that plastic waste in Indonesia reaches 64 million tons/year. It is not surprising that Indonesia is considered a plastic waste emergency country and is ranked second in the world after China. Among the efforts made by the government to reduce plastic waste is the issuance of Ministerial Decree No. LKH.75/2019 regarding Waste Reduction Roadmap. However, handling plastic waste is a half-hearted policy. Thus, whether one concerns about plastic waste, it depends on one’s own awareness and/or commitment. Ironically, people are increasingly addicted to plastic, as if without plastic, life is too complicated. This article deals with this.
By using qualitative approach, this study was conducted in the city of Makassar. Those who participated in this study were the Head of the Makassar City Sanitation Service, Makassar residents, both women and men with varying age ranges, job, and social status. We use in-depth interview and participant observation as our data collection methods.
Although "plastic diet" campaign has been carried out by various elements of society, the use of plastic is difficult to separate from people's daily lives, its use starts from sunrise to sleep of the human eye. At home, garbage, cloth, food, drink, etc. are wrapped in plastic; in other places and events plastic is everywhere, almost all use plastic. Even if there are people who are aware of "plastic diet", the number is not comparable to the people who are addicted to plastic use. The latter considers that “plastic diet” is a movement to create a complicated life. However, people who try to go on a "plastic diet" sometimes get frustrated in dealing with plastic waste because integrated waste management policy is lacking.