Theresia Sufa, Bogor – Bogor municipality officially implemented on Dec. 1 a ban on single-use plastic bags at all modern stores.
Through Mayoral Regulation No. 61/2018 on the elimination of single-use plastics, Bogor Mayor Bima Arya ordered that modern stores stop providing their customers with plastic bags.
"We are now focusing on modern markets first because they're easier to regulate. One day, we'll also apply the regulation to traditional markets," Bima said.
According to Bima, Bogor residents produce up to 1.7 tons of plastic waste every day. Bima said he believed the residents would slowly adjust to the new regulation. Modern retailers are now obligated to replace plastic bags with eco-friendly alternatives and shoppers are advised to bring their own reusable bags when shopping.
A shopping center in Bogor, Plaza Ekalokasari, has stopped providing plastic bags and offers eco-friendly bags that cost Rp 12,000 (82 US cents) each. Many other shops have put up banners to announce that they no longer provide plastic bags.
Bima suggested that local residents use bags made from cassava or corn fiber. Such bags were produced by the Family Welfare Movement (PKK), a community family welfare organization run by women, and sold in 38 districts across the city, he said.
A resident of Tajur, Wita, 60, said she was happy with the new regulation. "There is a lot of plastic bag waste in my house alone. The regulation reminds us to always carry a personal bag for the sake of the environment," she said. (vla)