RECO EP. 1 - SAMPAH PLASTIK DI INDONESIA

Summary

The script highlights the urgent issue of plastic waste in Indonesia, particularly in Makassar, where the population's waste is piling up at an alarming rate. It discusses the efforts of local hero Pak Makmur and the community's fight for better waste processing, education, and economic welfare. A company, P3I, is actively buying and processing plastic waste, creating jobs and empowering workers in the region. Their factory in Gowa recycles plastic into pellets for use in manufacturing, contributing to a cleaner environment. The initiative is not perfect but is an essential step towards reducing plastic waste in Indonesia.

Takeaways

• 😀 28 million tons of plastic waste are produced annually by Indonesian people.
• 😀 The Hai GP Antam landfill in Makassar, South Sulawesi, faces increasing waste problems, with the landfill height reaching 40 meters.
• 😀 The world produces 6,708 million tons of waste in 2020, with much of it being burned or buried in landfills.
• 😀 People living near the Antam landfill benefit from collecting and selling waste, which helps them afford daily necessities and education.
• 😀 Mr. Makmur, a native of Makassar, has been fighting for workers' welfare and proper waste processing for 18 years.
• 😀 Many workers in the Antam landfill area struggle with illiteracy, and Mr. Makmur has advocated for their basic education.
• 😀 Rego, a company founded in 2001, operates a plastic waste factory that buys waste at fair prices, supporting the community's welfare.
• 😀 Ciko, a waste management company, works to address plastic waste and empower workers in Antam through collaboration with Mr. Makmur.
• 😀 The company sorts and processes plastic waste into pellets that are then sent to factories for further processing into plastic goods.
• 😀 A factory in Gowa processes plastic waste with a capacity of 25,000 tons, focusing on water conservation and environmental impact reduction.
• 😀 Partner factories in cities like Surabaya use recycled plastic pellets to create products, helping to reduce plastic waste while maintaining affordable prices.

Q & A

What is the main environmental issue discussed in the transcript?

The main environmental issue discussed is plastic waste in Indonesia, particularly the large amounts generated annually and the challenges associated with its disposal and recycling.

How much plastic waste is produced annually in Indonesia?

Indonesia produces 28 million tons of plastic waste every year.

What is the situation at the Antam landfill in Makassar?

The Antam landfill in Makassar has a waste pile that has reached 40 meters above ground, and it continues to grow. This poses a significant challenge for waste management and disposal.

How does the local community benefit from the landfill?

Despite the environmental challenges, people living near the Antam landfill earn money by collecting and sorting plastic waste, which helps them afford daily necessities and education for their children.

Who is Pak Makmur, and what role does he play in the community?

Pak Makmur is a local figure and advocate for the welfare of workers at the Antam landfill. He has been fighting for better waste management and education for workers, many of whom cannot read or write.

What initiative was introduced to improve the situation in Makassar?

In 2001, the Rego plastic waste factory was established to purchase plastic waste and support the local community by offering reasonable prices for waste collection and contributing to the overall welfare of workers in the area.

What is the purpose of Ciko, the initiative mentioned in the transcript?

Ciko is a company committed to addressing plastic waste by purchasing and recycling it. It also aims to empower workers in Antang and contribute to environmental sustainability by processing plastic waste from various sources, including Indonesian seas.

How does the recycling process work at the Gowa factory?

At the Gowa factory, plastic waste is sorted by type, cleaned, and converted into plastic pellets. These pellets are then sent to partner factories, where they are used to produce higher-value plastic products.

What steps are being taken to minimize environmental impact in the recycling process?

The factory uses a Closed Loop system for water management, ensuring that water used in the recycling process is not discharged into the environment, thus reducing pollution.

How has the factory's impact been felt by its partners and consumers?

Partner factories, like the one in Surabaya, have benefited from using recycled plastic products, which are more affordable and contribute to reducing plastic waste. Consumers, while recognizing the lower quality, still feel proud of their role in environmental preservation.

What is the future goal of the recycling initiative in Indonesia?

The future goal is to increase the recycling capacity to 25,000 tons by 2024, improve the overall quality of recycled plastic products, and expand the initiative to other cities in Indonesia to further tackle the plastic waste problem.