Plastic Tax: A Solution to Fight Pollution
Written by: Padantya Hayu Jenar Arundaya, Sabrina Nazara Arifadilah, & Rachel Burhan Ali
Publication Date: 3rd November 2024
Plastic is a familiar material in human life. According to the Earth Policy Institute, around 1 trillion plastic bags are used every year around the world. Some countries have begun to take this issue seriously, such as Denmark, Portugal, and the Netherlands, which have implemented plastic taxes to reduce plastic consumption.
Since 2003, Denmark has charged USD 0.56 or equivalent to IDR 7,900 per plastic bag and has had a significant impact, reducing the use of plastic waste by 50% in 2015. Portugal imposes a tax of €0.10 per each single-use plastic bag. The Netherlands charges €0.25 or IDR 4,300 per plastic bag and has reduced plastic usage by 40% after one year of implementation.
Public Response to Plastic Bag Policies
Information on plastic bag policies has a different response from each person, based on the results of interviews from 3 respondents, each has a different opinion as follows:
- R1: has a good understanding of the information so he agrees with this policy because of his understanding and concern for the environment and anticipates paid plastic by using cloth shopping bags.
- R2: has less understanding of the information, the information obtained from the cashier when doing shopping activities. This policy is considered burdensome if you do a lot of shopping then incur additional costs to buy plastic bags.
- R3: Understand the information and problems caused by plastic bags. Thinks that the additional price of plastic bags is cheap and thinks that the government's action is appropriate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the implementation of the tax plastic policy can have a significant impact. In 2016 paid plastic has been implemented in several cities considering the extraordinary results, this policy can be implemented in all cities in Indonesia. With the existence of tax plastic, it can reduce the use of plastic waste in Indonesia considering that Indonesia is the 10th largest plastic contributor country.
References
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Project Planet ID. (n.d.). Hearing the opinions of the people of Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek) regarding the plastic bag ban in Jakarta. https://id.projectplanetid.com/post/mendengar-pendapat-masyarakat-jabodetabek-tentang-larangan-penggunaan-kantong-plastik-di-jakarta-1
Copenhagen Post. (2021, December 7). Denmark reaches plastic bag goal ahead of schedule. https://cphpost.dk/2021-12-07/news/denmark-reaches-plastic-bag-goal-ahead-of-schedule/
Plastic Diet. (n.d.). 19 countries in the world without plastic bags. https://plasticdiet.id/19-negara-di-dunia-tanpa-tas-plastik/