TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Environment and Forestry Ministry has set a target to reduce the amount of plastic waste by 50 percent by setting in motion a new policy requiring retailers to charge for plastic bags.

Ministry’s director for waste treatment Sudirman said that Indonesia produced 64 million tons of waste annually.

“14 percent of the total amount was plastic waste,” Sudirman added during the commemoration of the National Waste Awareness Day at Bundaran HI, Jakarta, on Sunday, February 21, 2016.

Sudirman also called on public to bring their own shopping bags when they go to supermarkets.

Sudirman revealed that the government set a target to kick off the new policy in 23 cities, including Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Makassar, Balikpapan, Tangerang, Depok, Bekasi, Banda Aceh, Jayapura and Ambon. However, Sudirman admitted that not all retailers had implemented the policy, including those in traditional markets.

Sudirman explained that the policy was being tried at 32 retailers under the Indonesian Retailers Association (APRINDO).

Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya said that the new policy, implemented starting on Sunday, February 21, 2016, would be evaluated before being enforced across the country in June. Siti added that the evaluation would be conducted by officials and independent individuals.

REZKI ALVIONITASARI