Jakarta Introduces Ban on Plastic Bags Ahead of July 1

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta provincial administration disseminated information on the ban on plastic bags at 116 supermarkets across seven sub-districts of Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta ahead of the policy enactment on July 1, 2020.

Tanjung Priok Environmental Management Unit Head Lambas Sigalingging said his personnel distributed leaflets while explaining the contents of the the Gubernatorial Regulation No. 142/2019 concerning the mandatory use of eco-friendly shopping bags.

“So that as of July 1, people will no longer use disposable plastic bags,” said Lambas in his written statement on Friday, June 26.

One team was deployed in each sub-district, consisting of three to four officers. Lambas opined the method was more effective and quicker to introduce the ban to hundreds of markets in the region.

Starting next Wednesday, July 1, 2020, the city administration prohibited the use of plastic bags at shopping centers, supermarkets, and traditional markets. The regulation mandates market operators to use environmentally-friendly bags.

With the policy, the managements of shopping centers, convenience stores, and public markets must also require all business players or tenants in their areas to use eco-friendly shopping bags.

Read: Sri Mulyani Wants Plastic Bag Tax Set at Rp30,000/kg

ADAM PRIREZA