T

he government’s environmental protection program has hit a serious setback after the country’s major retailers decided to stop charging for plastic bags on the grounds that they did not have any legal basis for continuing the so-called pay for plastic bag program.

The retailers’ decision to stop supporting the pay for plastic bag campaign has once again indicated the lack of commitment on the part of the government in reducing the surging use of plastics in Indonesia, now the world’s second-largest plastic waste producer after China.

We deeply regret the termination of the program because it occurred when people had begun to accept the initiative. Shoppers’ positive responses could be seen at many major retailers, especially in Jakarta. Many people had voluntarily begun to carry their own bags although the charge for plastic bags was relatively insignificant. The people’s response was quite encouraging as it indicated they were willing to do their part to help reduce plastic waste.

The Environment and Forestry Ministry, in cooperation with the Association of Indonesian Retailers (Aprindo), launched a trial program for the pay for plastic bag campaign in February. Under the five-month program, which formally ended in June, shoppers were required to pay Rp 200 (1.5 US cents) per bag. Almost all modern retailers in the country’s major cities took part in the program, although some of them, mostly outside Java, stopped the program due to people’s objections.

In its explanation, Aprindo said it decided to halt the program last week because the existing regulation issued by the Environment and Forestry Ministry was valid only until June, the end of the trial program. The association is waiting for a new ruling from the ministry to resume charging for plastic bags.

The ministry has not given any statement in relation to the termination of the plastic bag charge but it previously said it would issue a new regulation with some improvements if the program saw positive results.

We strongly recommend the ministry continue the program and issue a new regulation for its implementation with some modifications, especially related to the charge imposed. Rp 200 is certainly too low, but charging shoppers more than Rp 2,000 per bag, for example, could create controversy.

Besides setting a realistic charge, the new regulation should also clearly stipulate the types of retailers that have to participate in the program. It is important to explain to the public that the proceeds from plastic bag sales will be used for environmental protection efforts and will not go to the retailers’ coffers. This could prevent retailers being accused of taking advantage of the program.

According to a study published by the journal Science, Indonesia produced 3.2 million tons of plastic waste in 2010, second most after China. About 1.29 million tons of that ended up in the ocean, while some floated along the country’s polluted rivers.

In addition to the plastic bag charge, more programs are needed to curb the mounting plastic waste, such as promoting recycling. If realized, the government’s plan to impose excise duty on plastic packaging would be also helpful to curb the surge in plastic usage.