9 Million Tons of Plastic Waste Dumped into Ocean Annually: Govt
21 March 2017 11:34 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Kolaka - Marine and Fishery Minister Susi Pudjiastuti revealed that nine million tons of plastic waste are dumped into the Indonesian oceans annually, which makes it the world’s second largest waste contributor.
“Therefore, we urge the people not to dump waste, particularly plastic waste, to the ocean,” the minister said during a working visit to Kolaka District in Southeast Sulawesi.
Susi explained that plastic waste disposal to the sea would kill fish and eventually reduce fishermen’s income and destroy marine life.
According to her, the government ought to remove waste from the ocean to the land.
“Kolaka hosts [state-owned mining company] Antam and several state-owned lenders; they need to synergize [efforts] to push for marine waste management programs,” Susi said, adding that the state-owned enterprises may acquire plastic waste treatment machines to prevent waste disposal into rivers and the ocean.
ANTARA
