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Minister Of Environment To Tighten Paper Waste Imports

The Minister of Environment, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, announced that halting plastic waste imports and tightening regulations on paper waste will prevent other countries from dumping their waste in Indonesia. This statement came after his visit to an unlicensed landfill in Bogor Regency, West Java, on Monday, November 4, 2024.

He stressed that Indonesia will no longer be a dumping ground for foreign waste driven by industrial needs. "Incineration is expensive. It's more cost-effective to dispose of waste in Indonesia, where some are willing to import and store it here. We need to put a stop to this," Hanif stated.

He pointed out that Indonesia can fulfill its plastic waste raw material needs, which are set to cease by 2025. Regarding paper waste, his ministry will enforce stricter import regulations. Hanif explained that of the annual demand for 14 million tons, about 7 million tons comes from pulp production in industrial plantations.

The other 7 million tons includes 3.5 million tons of domestic plastic waste, with the remainder coming from imports. "We cannot act recklessly, as a large portion of paper products is re-exported. Thus, we must closely monitor this process," he noted. The decision to impose these restrictions is based on the understanding that waste imports hinder the government's efforts to manage and reduce waste effectively. "In light of this, we will continue to enforce limitations until waste management practices are enhanced," Hanif concluded.

Hanif highlighted the current tolerance level for contaminants in non-hazardous waste, which is set at two percent, including paper waste. It is expected that one of the steps to tighten import regulations will be to minimize impurity levels in waste as much as possible. "I briefed President Prabowo yesterday, and he has asked us to stop importing plastic waste. Additionally, he directed us to update the guidelines for importing paper intended for recycling," he mentioned.

According to the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN) data from 2023, the country generates 38.2 million tons of waste, with only 61.75 percent being properly managed. Within this total, plastic waste is the second largest category, making up 19.21 percent, while food waste leads at 39.65 percent.

Tag: Hanif Faisol Nurofiq Minister Of Environment Paper Waste Imports