inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Minister of Environment/Head of the Environmental Management Agency (BPLH), Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, stated that he is intensifying the recycling process to address the plastic waste problem.

"First, we are strict about reusing and recycling. Last night, we met with the Minister of Industry to discuss our steps," said the Minister of Environment on Monday (August 18, 2025).

He stated that if plastic waste is not handled comprehensively, it will cause serious environmental pollution problems because it is difficult to decompose naturally.

Even if it does decompose, it produces microplastics that can impact the environment.

"Plastic is problematic for the environment because it is single-use. This creates problems and contains hazardous and toxic materials," said the Minister of Environment.

The Ministry of Environment has also stopped importing plastic scrap as of January 1, 2025.

Furthermore, the Minister of Environment stated that efforts to minimize plastic waste are the responsibility of all parties, including product manufacturers who still use plastic for packaging.

"We are intervening through extended producer responsibility (EPR), which is still voluntary and we are upgrading its status to mandatory," said the Minister of Environment.

This effort aims to achieve the target of resolving waste management issues by 2029, as stipulated in Presidential Regulation No. 12 of 2025 concerning the 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).
           
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