Carbon crossroads: Can Indonesia cut plastic waste and grow its petrochemical industry?
Reducing plastics dependence may be a better way to ensure supply and meet environmental and climate commitments The post Carbon crossroads: Can Indonesia cut plastic waste and grow its petrochemical industry? appeared first on Dialogue Earth .
In Indonesia, a supermarket shopper, Diana Marsella, has switched to reusable canvas bags after her 2020 ban on disposable plastic bags led to an 82% reduction in usage. Jakarta Environmental Agency spokespersons assert that enforcement remains lax. While Indonesia is expanding its petrochemical industry, environmental groups and experts argue that growth conflicts with waste reduction goals and climate commitments.
Plastics are manufactured from oil and gas, resulting in substantial emissions, with demand expected to rise in Southeast Asia up to 2050. Experts argue that tackling demand rather than focusing only on post-consumer pollution is necessary. According to Herlina Agustin, an environmental communications researcher, greater awareness of plastics' carbon footprint could reduce consumption, but lasting changes require policy, infrastructure, and business transformations.
Indonesia is projected to consume 22 million metric tonnes of plastic by 2050, with everyday use plastics accounting for 61% of total demand. Alternative materials for packaging and single-use items have been proposed solutions, but their effectiveness is questioned due to their inability to meet requirements for food safety, durability, and cost. Some argue that strengthening existing reuse systems is a more viable solution.
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