TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta administration implemented a new policy requiring modern retailers, convenience stores and traditional markets to charge Rp5,000 (US$37 cents) for a plastic bag.

“Plastic bag must be charged in traditional market and modern retailers. People have to pay at least Rp5,000 if they want to by one,” Jakarta deputy governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat said during the commemoration of the National Waste Awareness Day at Bundaran HI, Jakarta, onSunday, February 21, 2016.

Djarot explained the new policy was implemented since the majority of wastes in Jakarta were plastic bags. The new policy had been tried out over the last month and would be evaluated before being enforced as a gubernatorial regulation or a regional regulation.

At the same occasion, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya said that the policy, implemented in 22 cities across Indonesia, would be tried out for six months with an evaluation once in three months.

“The authority to address waste issues lies on city administrations’ hands, and the central government provides advises, supports, standards and others,” Siti added.

Siti explained that the minimum charge for a plastic bag is Rp200 (US$1.5 cents). However, several cities charged with higher prices, such as in Balikpapan and Makassar to reduce plastic bag uses and encourage public to bring their own shopping bags.

“When people pay for groceries at checkouts, they won’t be provided with bags. If they ask for one, they have to pay Rp5,000 (US$37 cents) in Jakarta,” Adhi S. Lukman, chairman of the Indonesian Food and Beverages Producers Association, said.

Adhi explained that the money collected from the plastic bags sales would be allocated to consumer education in a bid to raise people’s awareness to reduce waste.

BISNIS.COM