Revolusi Kemasan Belanja Online yang Ramah Lingkungan | Dwi Sasetyaningtyas | TEDxGreenWelfare

Summary

This video highlights the environmental impact of single-use plastic packaging, especially in online shopping. It begins with a simple example of how a small amount of money could save the environment. The speaker discusses how billions of packages, many wrapped in excessive plastic, are shipped daily in Indonesia, contributing to massive waste. They emphasize the importance of sustainable packaging alternatives and showcase a company’s efforts to reduce plastic use. The speaker also explains how even small changes, like using eco-friendly materials, can help save the planet for future generations, all within the cost of a simple item like tempe.

Takeaways

• 😀 The materials around us, from clothing to furniture, are closely linked to costs and environmental impacts, such as extraction, production, distribution, and disposal.
• 😀 Rp5,000 may not buy much in today's world, but it has the potential to make a significant impact on saving our future and the planet.
• 😀 The rise in online shopping has led to a huge increase in package deliveries, with 8.5 million packages processed daily in Indonesia, a 26% increase since the pandemic.
• 😀 Many online orders are over-packaged with plastic materials, such as bubble wrap and plastic tape, leading to excessive waste.
• 😀 Approximately 96% of the online packages processed are wrapped in plastic, which results in around 120,000 tons of plastic waste daily, equivalent to 17 Borobudur Temples stacked together.
• 😀 Only 9% of the waste generated in Indonesia ends up being properly managed and recycled, with the rest contributing to major environmental, economic, and social issues at waste processing sites like Bantargebang.
• 😀 Many plastics used for packaging, such as bubble wrap and plastic tape, are not recyclable and end up in landfills or the environment, contributing to long-term pollution.
• 😀 There are alternative, sustainable packaging methods, such as using paper-based materials and water-activated tape, which are easily recyclable and compostable.
• 😀 Through conscious effort, it's possible to send packages without plastic packaging, using recycled cardboard or other eco-friendly materials, while still ensuring product safety.
• 😀 A business commitment to sustainable practices resulted in shipping over 10,000 packages without using single-use plastic, avoiding approximately 5 tons of plastic waste over three years.
• 😀 While sustainable packaging might be more expensive, the costs are justified by the positive environmental impact and the potential to save the planet for future generations.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the transcript?

The main issue discussed is the environmental impact of single-use plastic packaging, particularly in online shopping. The speaker highlights the massive amount of plastic waste generated daily from packaging materials such as bubble wrap and plastic tape.

How much plastic waste is generated daily from online shopping in Indonesia?

Approximately 8.5 million packages are processed and shipped daily from online stores in Indonesia, leading to an increase of 26% in waste since the pandemic. This generates about 120,000 tons of plastic waste annually.

What are some environmental consequences of plastic packaging?

Plastic packaging contributes to pollution, landfill waste, and environmental degradation. A large portion of this plastic waste cannot be recycled and remains in landfills indefinitely, causing long-term environmental damage.

What alternatives to plastic packaging does the speaker propose?

The speaker suggests using sustainable packaging alternatives such as paper wraps, water-activated tape, and recycled cardboard instead of plastic bubble wrap and plastic tape.

How has the speaker's company addressed the issue of plastic packaging?

The speaker's company has switched to using eco-friendly packaging materials, such as paper-based wraps and water-activated tape, and has successfully shipped over 10,000 packages without using single-use plastics.

What is the success rate of the speaker's eco-friendly packaging method?

In the past year, only 0.06% of the packages shipped using the sustainable packaging method were damaged, which indicates the system is highly effective and secure for shipping fragile items.

What is the cost difference between using traditional plastic packaging and sustainable alternatives?

Sustainable packaging costs about 5,000 IDR more than traditional plastic packaging. However, the additional cost is seen as a worthwhile investment to reduce environmental harm and external costs associated with waste management.

What are the 'external costs' associated with plastic packaging that the speaker mentions?

External costs include the environmental cleanup of plastic waste, health costs from pollution, and social injustice related to the exploitation of waste management workers and communities affected by landfills.

How does the speaker suggest consumers and businesses can contribute to sustainability?

The speaker encourages both consumers and businesses to choose eco-friendly packaging options, even if it means a slightly higher cost. Small steps, like avoiding single-use plastics, can have a significant positive impact on the environment.

Why is it important for businesses to communicate with couriers about packaging preferences?

Effective communication with couriers ensures that packages are shipped using sustainable packaging methods, such as cardboard and paper wraps, instead of relying on plastic bubble wrap or tape, helping reduce waste.