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New cassava bioplastic prompts Central Java to mull incentives to replace plastic
The Central Java governor might regulate the province's switch from plastics to bioplastics and a possible incentive for bioplastic producers, upon the launch of Sinar Jaya Plastindo's cassava bioplastic.
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Sinar Jaya Plastindo director Whelly Sujono (right) presents a shopping bag made of cassava bioplastic to Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo at a World Environment Day event on July 17, 2019 in Salatiga, Central Java. (JP/Suherdjoko)
T
he Central Java administration has embarked on a mission to gradually replace plastic packaging with bioplastics made of cassava peel, which its producer claims is more environmentally friendly than petroleum-based plastics.
The bioplastics were exhibited on Wednesday during an event in Salatiga, Central Java, that marked World Environment Day, which falls annually on June 5.
“We made the bioplastics from cassava. The plastic decomposes in just only a week," Whelly Sujono, the director of Sinar Jaya Plastindo, said on introducing the company's new product. "This is one way to atone for our sins in contributing to the world’s [plastic crisis].”
Sinar Jaya Plastindo, which is headquartered in Sukoharjo regency, has been manufacturing plastic products for 14 years.
Whelly said that the company had distributed the bioplastic to hospitals and was currently approaching shopping malls and shopping centers.
Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo welcomed the bioplastic's development.
“We have already produced bioplastics, but it is not yet popular. I will issue a policy to push for [wider use of] bioplastics," said Ganjar.
"We should set targets, for example, we should reduce the volume of plastics by 50 percent and replace them with bioplastics by next year. Maybe in two to five years, we can replace 100 percent of plastics with bioplastics,” he said.
He added that the provincial administration would also consider offering incentives to companies that produced bioplastics.
