Antara 16 May 19;
Biak, Papua (ANTARA) - The Biak Numfor district government in the easternmost Indonesian province of Papua plans to ban the use of plastic bags in shops and markets, as of June 1, 2019, as part of efforts to reduce plastic trash.
"The ban on the use of plastic bags is a follow up on the regional strategic policy of managing garbage based upon the regional regulation of 2018 on garbage and government regulation number 81 of 2012 on the management of garbage," second assistant to regional secretary Ferry Betay said on Thursday, at an event to familiarize the public with the ban on the use of plastic bags.
He asked the public and shop owners to comply with the ban on plastic bags because it has been adopted as a government policy to reduce plastic waste.
"I hope that through this event, all elements of the community, particularly shop and minimarket owners, will become well informed about the ban," he said.
Meanwhile, Head of the Environment Office Iwan Ismulyanto said Biak Numfor District Head Herry Ario Naap will begin enforcing the ban on plastic bags on May 20, 2019, coinciding with the commemoration of National Awakening Day.
"The Biak Numfor district government's policy to ban the use of plastic bags will reduce the volume of plastic trash in Biak," he said.
Shop owner Atong said he supported the government's policy to ban the use of plastic bags and asked the government to aggressively familiarize the public with the ban.
Reporter: Muhsidin, Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
