T

o mark World Environment Day, which falls on June 5, the Papua administration has declared its commitment to be free from plastic waste by 2020, coinciding with the organizing of the 20th National Games (PON XX) in the province.

“We hope all elements in society can support this government program in their daily lives,” said acting Papua governor Soedarmo during a ceremony to celebrate World Environment Day in Jayapura on Monday.

Six regencies and cities in Papua will host sporting events during PON XX. They are Biak, Jayawijaya, Jayapura city, Jayapura regency, Merauke and Mimika. Two of these have won an Adipura clean-and-green-city environment award. Four others are currently striving to get the award.

Soedarmo said he had sent letters to all regents and mayors in Papua, asking them to support the Plastic Waste Free movement.

Data from the Jayapura Environment Agency shows that in 2016 the production of plastic waste in the city amounted to 368 tons, with an assumption that each person consumed 700 sheets of plastic every year. In Jayapura, plastic waste is often found in gutters and rivers. During the rainy season, gutters along the main roads of the city are routinely blocked by such waste.