Jakarta – Commemorating the 2024 National Waste Awareness Day (HPSN), DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency (DLH) launched the Spunbond Bag Reuse Movement in People’s Markets. This movement was launched at Koja Baru Market, North Jakarta, on Wednesday (06/03).

This movement is an effort by DLH Jakarta to promote waste reduction at the source, especially in traditional markets.

“Gubernatorial Regulation No. 142/2019 on the Obligation to Use Environmentally Friendly Shopping Bags must be massiveized to the entire community. One of the efforts is this movement,” said Head of Jakarta Environment Agency, Asep Kuswanto.

On this occasion, he reminded us that single-use plastics have been banned in all shopping centers, supermarkets, and public markets in Jakarta. He also invited residents to use spun-bond bags for repeated use instead of single-use.

“Use spun-bond bags repeatedly until they are damaged, and collect unused spun-bond bags that have accumulated at home to DLH officers,” he said.

Asep explained that spun-bond bags are made by melting plastic fibers, usually polypropylene, then blown and laid down to form cloth-like sheets.

“Spunbond is made from plastic, which takes hundreds of years to decompose naturally in the environment. If its use is not reused, it is the same as a disposable plastic bag,” Asep explained.

DLH DKI Jakarta has provided Spunboxes or storage areas for reusable spun-bond bags in various markets in Jakarta. Residents can take spun-bond bags as needed at the Spunbox if they need to remember to bring shopping bags from home.

Asep said that his party has also made practical guidelines for collecting and managing reusable spunbonds. Later, residents can deposit unused spun-bond bags at the nearest Waste Bank, RW BPS, or Sub-district LH Satpel.

“The LH Satpel in each sub-district will sort and ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of the spun bond bags before they are redistributed to Perumda Pasar Jaya markets,” he added.

Asep also ensured that the reusable spun-bond bags in the Spunbox in these markets are guaranteed to be clean and hygienic.

“All spun-bond reusable bags are clean, hygienic, and ready to be used for shopping at the market,” Asep concluded.

In addition, this movement was also joined by all Mayors/Regents in their respective regions throughout Jakarta to reinforce DKI Jakarta Governor Regulation (Pergub) Number 142 of 2019 concerning the Obligation to Use Environmentally Friendly Shopping Bags in Shopping Centers, Supermarkets and People’s Markets.