alex.ryan

A multitude of solutions are needed and a levy on plastic bags at the point of sale is a part of that solution. Macro in Bali is an example of a store that uses minimal plastic bags as it imposes a Rp. 5,000 fee per bag. Customers shopping at Macro know this, and either come prepared with their own bag, or wheel their goods to the car a put them directly in the boot. It is rare to see a customer purchase a plastic bag at Macro.

The idea of introducing a 'user pays' system for plastic bags is not a new one, and it is a proven and effective system that really works, as opposed to a ban, which has dubious benefits. The idea is not to 'tax the poor' as suggested, but more to generate consumer awareness and then responsibility over our consumption habits.

Replacing an environmentally unfriendly single-use plastic bag with a biodegradable single-use plastic bag will not change consumer habits around waste. In both cases, generally the bag is still used once, then ends up in landfill. Educating consumers to bring their own bag and to say no to plastic bags is a positive long-term solution that will have a far-reaching impact on consumption patterns, and ultimately, the environment.

billjayman

Hi Roland. Other than expressing anger at the 'easy solution' of taxing the public, I was hoping to convey that we should look for a better solution than just punishing consumers with more taxes. Hence, my suggestion at a "tax credit" for businesses who choose better alternatives to plastic bags.

However, i have no problem raising the 'Fines' for people who are improperly disposing of their trash as you describe. These people deserve a 'punishment' for what they do as opposed to the typical consumer.

I would hope that a group like Alex Ryan's would come up with a real solution such as finding sponsors for bio-degradable bags that can be sold to markets as part of an awareness of the problem while also promoting good business.

It is just too easy to "tax" and hope the problem goes away. It has never discouraged smoking, drinking, gambling and many other activities that proponents of these types of taxes promise.

Valkyrie

Simon, one simple opening sentence and you've said it all! We have to begin by teaching our children, NOW!

Simon P

Well you've got to start somewhere. The problem lies with treating the world as an infinite resource and an infinite garbage can. There's no great way of disposing of this stuff. You can bury it in landfill sites where it'll stay for a thousand plus years or burn the stuff as people do in Jakarta, releasing awful toxic, acrid smoke into the atmosphere. Many bags find their way to the sea where they get swept into the North Pacific Gyre which is full of literally billions of plastic bags. There they choke wildlife and break down into small pieces which enter the food chain. How hard can it be to bring a nice cloth shopping bag down to Hero with you?

Roland

Dear Billjayman - I have to disagree with your points strongly. The tax would be what can be called a "discouragement tax" to avoid customers taking every time new plastic bags home and instead use bags already at home, so there would be no impact on the poor.

In my opinion - the average Indonesian lives basically from the hand in its mouth and goes everyday to the local mini-market for the daily needs - and goes with at least 3 brand new flimsy plastic bags home. Count this by 365 days by 50 customers per mini-market. That becomes a huge number...

Also, the average citizen has absolutely no clue whatsoever when talking about environmental issues - except probably the ones affected by floods - but then again - I am sure when there is no flooding the same people still throw their garbage wherever they please. Unfortunately the city does NOT provide sufficient waste containers along the side walks and....if there would be, they would be surely vandalized and stolen within a few weeks.

I am sure that already now all shops, giving you per purchase dozen of plastic bags (basically for each single item - it is actually really annoying as the clerks do not seem to understand when one asks for less - but to no surprise as the usual bags are small and of a flimsy quality - BUT with the company logo!) are putting the expenses for these bags on the products purchased.

I used to live in Bali for quite an extended time and I watched many times that beach cleaning consisted of making a deep hole in the sand and throwing all the garbage collected in there - according to the motto "Out of Sight - Out of Mind".

Valkyrie

Just a couple of villages Simon? If the idea is good why not all of Britain? You believing in a couple of swallows making a summer?

The problem lies with the gargabe disposal system. There aren't any!

Simon P

Hear hear Billjay. Why not just ban the things altogether though as a couple of villages have done in Britain? I doubt society would collapse overnight as a consequence.

billjayman

I can not disagree more with Alex Ryan. What a typical response from someone involved in such an effort. "Lets tax the people!" Horrible idea from someone living in a box. The poor people of Indonesia already are struggling and this bozo wants to add a tax that will most likely be another source for corruption from some government official. Here's a novel idea... How about a "Tax Credit" for the businesses who promote the use of bio-degradable plastic????

These people who contstantly call for taxes as "punishment" on the common people just make me sick. There is never a thought to assist and promote.. only to rob tax money and punish.

papaD

Everything big starts small and most importantly start with yourself.

peterR

Of course reducing the use of plastic is an absolute must, its strangling the planet. However, until your average Jakartan citizen, and citizens of much of Indonesia, learn not to be so jerok, garbage strewn streets and rivers will continue to be a problem.

Of course it would go along way to solving the problem if there was efficient and regular garbage collection everywhere, so that people did not have to throw it in rivers and the like.

Roland

Alex Ryan - that was a very interesting insight comment and I truly hope that your campaign succeeds and can be brought into operation also with other retailers. However as you mentioned it's still a long way to go!

1 ton reduction per month is a start, but you also tell us that the monthly consumption in Bali alone is around 21.000 tons.

I think education should start in schools first and that children can teach their parents with good example for a change.

But to be honest I believe that Fauzi Bowo's "idea" is merely a publicity stunt and will not bring any changes.

Another idea which was implemented in Europe around 20 years ago was to leave unnecessary bulk packaging material of articles bought in the stores in drop off areas. it helped also a little to reduce the amount of waste generated as suppliers started to pack their products a bit smarter than they used to. Also it has to be brought in consideration that the packaging industry is a multi million Dollar business and hands need to be twisted severely before changes occur!

And..I have to say it again -the general Indonesian attitude in regards of waste is terrible - I cannot stand it when I see plastic water bottles flying out of car windows, same with wild dumping of garbage all over the place, disregarding any common sense!

Marmz

I am concerned for Jakarta's citizens. What will they wrap their non-biodegradeable trash in before they throw it in the river? At least it means a half-life of 1000 years instead of 2,000. Might I recommend condoms? For the trash and the population.

Marmz

Fauzi is awake. Wow! What is his next move? Is he going to attack bajajs, angkots, metro minis and traffic-stuttering buses? Is he f...

alex.ryan

Congratulations to Fauzi Bowo for taking a much-needed step in the right direction. Getting Jakarta's retail industry and traditional markets to reduce plastic bag use is the right approach. Making available alternatives to plastic bags for shoppers at the point of sale is also an important step. However, these efforts alone will not succeed without a concerted campaign targeting consumers which discourages the use plastic bags, while at the same time encouraging them to bring their own bags.

One way to discourage plastic bag use is by introducing a tax on plastic bags. if consumers must pay a fee, they will think twice before taking a plastic bag. The most successful example of this is Ireland's plastic bag tax. The PlasTax succeeded in reducing plastic bag use by 90% per annum, and the 15 cent fee collected at the check out was used to establish a $9.6 million fund for the environment. Imagine what Indonesia could do with those funds if it introduced such a tax.

Studies have shown that the so-called 'free' plastic bags comes with a high price tag that must be borne by the community. Firstly, the retailer incorporates the cost of the bag into the cost of the goods we purchase. Secondly, costs of disposing the plastic bag, which can last for up to 1000 years in the environment, must be carried by the whole community. This is evident in Jakarta where dangerous and damaging floods are a regular occurrence due to blockages caused by plastic waste in the waterways and rivers. Also in Indonesia's tourist hub Bali where indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste is leading to environmental disaster. Lastly, CO2 emissions generated during plastic bag production contribute to Indonesia's title as the third largest carbon emitter in the world.

Bali-based non-profit campaign 'Say No to Plastic!' or Bali Cantik Tanpa Plastik has recently begun working with Hypermart, Indonesia's second largest retailer, to reduce plastic bag consumption at their Mal Bali Galeria store. In its first month, we succeeded in a 50% reduction in the volume of plastic bags used, representing around 1 ton of plastic that did not enter landfill. We estimate that Bali produces 750 tons of plastic waste each day, so there is still a long way to go. We encourage a consumer levy on plastic bags, as well as a government tax on plastic. We also work with communities on plastic waste reduction and prevention. This is a good model which could be adopted by retailers and community organisations across Jakarta.

Alex Ryan, Say No To Plastic steering committee chair

billjayman

Simple solution here... just use bio-degradable plastic bags. They decompose faster. It costs a little more but it is better than a complete ban on plastics. Also, no one likes using paper bags anymore. They are not as strong and promotes cutting down trees.

Roland

The packaging industry will be lobbying so intensely for the continued use of plastic packaging that I am certain that there will be no change 2011 and ongoing (except maybe in the account of Mr. FB).

Many people hardly understand the use of public garbage bins (if they are provided - have a look at Ancol or other public places with maintenance - better out the car window or, if as a pedestrian, drop it wherever it is convenient - somebody will clean it up...).

ChrisH

Mind you, that most people here even put a plastic around one item they just bought. When I refuse the plastics the store clerk often asks: "Ga malu?" (Doesn't that make you shy?) . Why would I be embarrassed over buying a toothbrush, or a pack of sugar?

For the rest, I have learned in my youth, to just bring my own bag, when you do your groceries.

Here, people just look at me with amazement when I am stuffing all my groceries into my backpack, and the clerks will try their utmost to still give you plastic bags, even for one last item that maybe does not fit in my bag, or could make other things wet, because of cold condensing.

This is a attitude thing. Their should be commercials teaching the public about that, or as is probably more effective here, use Sinetrons to promote this kind of thing.

saMmy99

Mind you, it's not easy... It's flexibility, ease of use and most of all it's cheap production cost will be the biggest challenge to find for replacement.