National Waste Awareness Day; 4 Tips to Reduce Plastic Waste

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A hashtag of National Waste Awareness Day which is declared every February 21 has become trending on Twitter. Moreover, Indonesia has a waste emergency, particularly plastic waste. It is estimated that 4.28 to 12.7 million tons of plastic waste enter the ocean.

In 2015, the country produced 3.2 million tons of plastic waste, and 1.29 million tons of them end up in the ocean.

To commemorate the National Waste Awareness Day, Tempo outlines four tips to reduce plastic waste.

1. Use stainless straw

Plastic waste illustration. shutterstock.com

Divers Clean Action recorded that the use of plastic straw in the archipelago reached 93.2 million items a day. That means, if those million items are strung together, the distance is similar to five-time roundtrip of Jakarta-Papua. Use reusable straw, such as one made of stainless to save the ocean.

2. Do recycling 

Many plastic packages, such as a mineral bottle or plastic bag, can be recycled instead of throwing it away to the trash bin. Separate plastic waste to be recycled and deliver it to the nearest waste bank.

3. Bring your own bottle

The plastic bottle is one of the biggest contributors to plastic waste. Carry your own reusable bottle to reduce pollution and plastic waste.

4. Buy snack in bulk 

If you enjoy eating snacks, do not buy them in small packages. Purchase them in bulk to avoid plastic packages, and then you can store them in small reusable containers.

SARAH ERVINA DARA SIYAHAILATUA | NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC | WWF