Indonesia will start imposing a ban on single-use plastic products by the end of 2029, the country’s Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar said on Monday (Jun 5). By that time, manufacturers are also mandated to reduce their use of plastic packaging by 30 per cent.   

Mdm Siti Nurbaya said the ban will include single-use plastic shopping bags, plastic straws and plastic cutlery while the use of styrofoams for food packaging will also be prohibited. 

“This is a way to deal with packaging wastes that are difficult to collect, have no economical value, hard to recycle and have the potential to pollute (the environment),” the minister was quoted as saying by Indonesian news agency Antara. 

Various studies and reports have named Indonesia as one of the top plastic waste producing countries in the world. 

Last year, the country of 270 million people produced 12.6 million tonnes of plastic waste, according to data from Indonesia’s environment ministry.  

Meanwhile, a study from environmental group Zero Waste Indonesia Alliance suggests that only nine per cent of plastic waste in Indonesia are recycled while the rest end up in landfills or polluting the rivers and oceans. 

Mdm Siti Nurbaya said provinces in Indonesia will be instructed to produce a plastic waste reduction road map in support of the ban taking place in 2029. 

In July 2019, the popular resort island of Bali became the first Indonesian province to impose a ban on the use of single-use plastic bags, straws and styrofoams.  

Meanwhile, the country’s capital Jakarta issued a ban on the use of single-use plastic bags in July 2020 but still allows the use of plastic straws, cutlery and styrofoams. 

Mdm Siti Nurbaya, the environment and forestry minister, said the private sector should also play its part to reduce plastic waste. She mandated all manufacturers to reduce their packaging waste by 30 per cent by the year 2029 in a bid to tackle the upstream life cycle of single-use plastic products. 

Indonesia is not the only country hoping to end its reliance on single-use plastic products. 

In 2018, Malaysia set an ambitious road map to eliminate single-use plastics by 2030. 

To support this goal, Malaysian minister for natural resources, environment and climate change Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said last month that the country aims to ban the use of plastic bags for retail purposes across all business sectors nationwide by 2025. 

Global warming, caused by greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2) which trap heat in the atmosphere and warms the globe, is becoming increasing prevalent with unsustainable human activity and mass production. To tackle this, we need to begin looking to bioplastics to transition away from traditional petroleum products polluting our environment. 

While some sources of emissions causing global warming are natural, (e.g., volcanoes), the rate and intensity of natural emissions are not enough to cause the drastic temperature change observed in past decades. Nature is not contributing significantly to global warming; we are. 

Citizens across 19 countries rank global warming as the greatest threat facing their country in the upcoming year. Explaining the increase in average global temperature, global warming is bringing hotter days and more severe hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters. 

Widespread deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and the immense release of fossil fuels cause anthropogenic global warming. While burning fossil fuels generates the energy required to power our electricity, it also emits greenhouse gasses – mainly CO2 – that totalled 5,891 million metric tons in 2020. 

The plastic production industry 

One industry powered by fossil fuels is the plastic production industry. We would produce 56 gigatons, or roughly 13% of total carbon emissions, by 2050 at the current plastic production and consumption rate. Plastic contributes to global warming by emitting greenhouse gasses at every stage of its lifecycle. 

From its humble beginning as fossil fuel, plastic is extracted from the earth using energy generated by burning fossil fuel. It is then transported to refining sites and refined through energy obtained by burning fossil fuels. Plastics are distributed to consumers and eventually moved to landfills or recycling centers using fossil fuels. Plastic production and consumption drive the emission of greenhouse gasses, causing more intense climate change and impacting millions of lives. 

It’s not difficult to see why. Petroleum-based plastics – everyday plastics – are durable, thermoresistant, waterproof, moldable, and inexpensive, allowing them to be industrialized for single-use packaging. As a result, plastics are mass-produced, consumed, and immediately disposed of, contributing to 79% of waste accumulated in landfills in 2015 and the emission of 850 million metric tons of greenhouse gasses in 2019. 

Produce biodegradable plastics using renewable resources 

To address the global impact of plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, the Bose lab uses an interdisciplinary approach to produce biodegradable plastics, or bioplastics, using renewable resources, creating a zero-carbon footprint. 

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) belongs to a class of polymers (PHA) with similar properties to petroleum plastics, making it a suitable candidate for bioplastics. 

Unlike petroleum plastic, PHB is naturally produced as intracellular carbon for energy storage in many microorganisms. Since these organisms can also degrade PHB, PHB-based bioplastics may last only several weeks in landfills instead of petroleum plastics, which last hundreds to thousands of years. While PHB is a promising alternative to conventional plastics, its high production cost and low-efficiency yield make it too expensive for everyday consumers. 

Genetic engineering can fix these shortcomings, which seeks to insert PHB genes into model organisms such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce PHB. Model organisms are typically favored – numerous genetic tools are available for integrating genes, allowing easy manipulation. 

However, these model organisms use organic carbon substrates to make bioplastics, contributing to high bioproduction costs and CO2 emissions. Thus, to achieve the mission of a zero carbon footprint and cheaper input cost, we would need to completely alter model organisms’ metabolism so they could fix CO2ce – or discover new bugs that can already use CO2. 

Old bugs & new tools for bioproduction 

At the Bose Lab, researchers are conducting their experiments on the bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris (TIE-1), which has four primary metabolisms that center around fixing either organic or inorganic carbon sources to produce PHB during photosynthesis. 

TIE-1 can thrive in Microbial Electrosynthesis, a system that supplies electrons via electric current to microorganisms. This paints a picture of TIE-1 fixing CO2e in solar-panel- powered MES to produce PHB, thus producing bioplastics without the need for expensive carbon and electron sources. 

While there’s a relative lack of genetic tools available for TIE-1, researchers were able to increase the production of PHB from TIE-1 by up to 5-fold through the over-expression of RuBisCO, an enzyme responsible for CO2 fixation during the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle that is active during photosynthesis. 

While the highest overproduction (5-fold) is mainly observed when mutant TIE-1 is grown in photoheterotrophic conditions with an organic carbon source, mutant TIE-1 still produces 2-fold more PHB than wild-type TIE-1 when fixing CO2. As more genetic tools are developed for TIE-1, researchers can better manipulate its genome to yield more efficient bioproducts. 

New bugs & old tools 

Besides promising preliminary research with TIE-1, researchers at the Bose lab are investigating distant relatives of TIE-1: Rhodomicrobium vannielii and Rhodomicrobium udaipurense. Like TIE-1, these bugs are versatile in their metabolism and can produce PHB, making them a suitable candidate for bioproduction. 

However, Rhodomicrobium appears to convert electrons to PHB more efficiently than TIE-1 when grown in the same conditions, thus potentially reducing input costs. However, minimal genetic tools exist for Rhodomicrobium, with the most recent technique described in 2023. 

While a lack of tools makes studying these bugs harder, it also means these organisms have a lot of potential once genetic tools are developed. Rhodomicrobium’s superior electron yield to TIE-1 shows that it’s crucial to investigate non-model organisms, for they could be a cheaper and a more reliable replacement to model organisms when producing certain bioproducts like bioplastics. 

Cigarette butts, plastic bottles, takeaway containers, food wrappers, plastic bags, and straws. 

These are just some of the waste items that are collected from the coastlines during Reef Check’s international coastal clean-up events every year.       

Reef Check is an international non-governmental organisation that dedicates itself to the conservation of coral reefs.  

Throughout September last year, a total of 300,183 waste items weighing 24,301 kilograms were collected during the clean-up in Malaysia. The clean-up took place along 394 kilometres of coastlines around the country with the help of over 9,000 volunteers. 

Plastic bags made up 11.52 per cent of the waste that was collected.  

“Plastic bags make up the top five categories of trash collected each year,” Reef Check Malaysia program development manager Theresa Ng told CNA. 

“It’s quite disheartening to see plastic bags anywhere, whether it is on the beach or parks or on roads,” said Ms Ng.  

With the amount of plastic pollution she has seen firsthand, Ms Ng told CNA that she is supportive and heartened by the recent announcement by the Malaysian government to eliminate the use of plastic bags across all business sectors by 2025. 

In early May, Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced that the implementation of the ban is being done in phases. 

“The government is taking a phased approach in introducing each action plan under this plan so that it is more effective, and the people understand the rationale for each action plan while at the same time encouraging them to act or make positive and environmentally friendly choices,” he said in a speech at an event on May 9 where retail grocery chain 99 Speedmart launched their no plastic bag campaign. 

The policy announced by Mr Nik Nazmi is part of Malaysia’s Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018–2030. 

With the government moving ahead with its plans to eliminate the use of plastic bags, those on the ground call on the authorities to set clearer guidelines on the ban for an item they consider an essential part of daily living. 

PLASTIC BAGS STILL SEEN AS A NECESSITY   

In Malaysia, plastic bags are still considered by many to be a necessity. It is widely used at grocery stores, food shops, wet markets, and hawker stalls among others. 

The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) has previously estimated that Malaysians use about 9 billion plastic bags every year.   

According to a study commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 2019, Malaysia has the highest annual per capita plastic usage at 16.78kg per person.  

The study also said that Malaysia ranks the second highest in overall generated plastic waste. 

Traders and their customers however say that one of the biggest obstacles to a “no plastic bag” campaign is changing the minds of customers, especially when they purchase groceries such as meat, fish, and vegetables.  

Pasar Besar Jalan Othman Traders Association vice-president N. Rajaratnam said that he supports the ban on plastic bags, but has noticed that most of his customers were apprehensive about it.  

Mr Rajaratnam, a chicken seller, told CNA that less than one-tenth of his customers bring their own containers when they purchase chickens from him. 

“Most other customers say that they need plastic bags to carry their items. For traders (like me), the ban on plastic bags would be good because it is (an added) cost for us,” he said, adding that he spends an average of RM400 (US$118) monthly to purchase plastic bags for his business.  

“It is also good because the use of plastic is not good for the environment. The government should promote more awareness to the public on this.”  

A market goer who wanted to be known only as Mrs Kim, 62, told CNA that using plastic bags was more convenient for her when it came to purchasing fresh produce and perishables. 

“By using plastic bags for wet groceries, I can simply store my groceries when I get home and throw away the dirty plastic bags. If I want to use a reusable bag, I have to carry it around with me everywhere and wash it at home,” said the retiree, adding that she also uses the plastic bags to throw away her rubbish.   

Mrs Kim stressed, however, that she would not purchase plastic bags on her own and would only use them if they are given free of charge. 

CHANGE OF BEHAVIOUR NEEDED 

Mr Nik Nazmi had said that the key success of the initiative to ban the use of plastic bags depends on the change of behaviour among the public and traders. 

“It is hoped that more individuals and industry players will play a bigger role in reducing the usage of plastic bags,” he said during the event on May 9. 

Since early May, one of Malaysia’s most recognisable chain stores – 99 Speedmart – has stopped providing plastic bags to its customers. The company has 2,387 outlets all over the country. 

“The decision was made to address environmental concerns associated with plastic pollution. By discouraging the use of single-use plastic bags, the government aimed to promote sustainable practices and reduce the negative impact on ecosystems,” a 99 Speedmart spokesperson told CNA. 

The spokesperson said that while a few customers might find it inconvenient to carry a reusable bag, it can be more cost-effective and eco-friendly. 

Instead of providing plastic bags, the company now sells a reusable bag for RM2. The bag can be exchanged if it is damaged, faded, torn or broken.  

The spokesperson from 99 Speedmart said that an average of 41 milllion plastic bags were provided to customers annually.  

“This means we can prevent 41 million plastic bags from going into the environment. We believe that the campaign not only has a good impact on the environment and customers but also holds significant potential for fostering a more sustainable and responsible society,” said the spokesperson. 

Malaysia had previously introduced a No Plastic Bag Day program in 2011 to discourage the use of plastic bags for carrying items purchased from shopping stores. 

Over the years, states like Penang, Selangor, Johor and Negeri Sembilan have also taken steps to become plastic-free through initiatives like charging for plastic bags. 

Penang, however, has been on the forefront of being plastic-free, even before the campaign was launched. In July 2009, it was the first state in Malaysia to launch an initiative to reduce plastic bag usage by charging RM0.20 per bag. 

Since Jan 2021, shoppers in Penang are charged RM1 for each plastic bag purchased from Thursdays to Sundays. No plastic bags are sold on the other days.   

The policy applies to hypermarkets, supermarkets, departmental stores, convenient stores, fast food restaurants and pharmacies among others. It does not apply to hawkers, traders, and wet markets.  

Penang state environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh told CNA that the state has managed to cut down plastic bag use by 78 per cent between 2020 and 2021. 

“It has taken a while but people have accepted this policy. About 84 per cent of people bring their own bags. The others are mainly visitors who are not aware of this policy in Penang,” he said. 

SUCCESS OF INITIATIVE DEPENDENT ON EXECUTION BY GOVERNMENT  

Ms Khor Sue Yee, the director of Zero Waste Malaysia, said the organisation fully supported the announcement by Mr Nik Nazmi but wanted more details about how the policy would be implemented.   

Zero Waste Malaysia is a non-profit-group that advocates for sustainable development whilst aiming to increase the local community’s awareness of sustainable living. 

“If we can recall, there was an announcement of the ban of single use straws back in 2019 but at the moment, we are still able to see people drinking with straws everywhere,” she said.  

Ms Khor said that some local supermarket chains have taken the initiative to stop providing plastic bags to their customers. Instead, these chains sell reusable bags.  

“Of course there will be people who complain but they will get used to it and bring their own bags,” she said.   

Ms Khor believed that a two-year timeline for the ban on plastic bags was practical and that the success of the plan would depend on the action plan.  

“There is a need to shift from single use to a circular economy. This however cannot be achieved without implementation from the government and certain pressure on manufacturers and industries. It might be difficult, but it is doable,” she said.   

The enforcement of the campaigns, Mr Nik Nazmi had previously said, would come under the respective state governments with the local councils to handle the implementation. 

WWF Malaysia said that it was supportive of the plan but said that execution was the key to ensuring the impact and effectiveness of it. 

“While we acknowledge that this ban will help in the phasing-out and reduction of single-use plastic and encourage consumers to adopt more sustainable habits, there should also be clear steps on how this ban will be implemented in the retail industry. 

“Furthermore, improved waste management and responsible production and consumption of plastics should also be looked into,” it said in a statement. 

They also said that the ban should be complemented by clear targets and timelines to ensure progress is made gradually towards eventual elimination. 

“The detailed specification of targets and schedules can also help to reduce the prospect of confusion and market disruption, and create clear expectations for producers and retailers. 

“Monitoring and enforcement activity would play a significant role in ensuring the effectiveness of this ban,” they said, adding that the plastics problem is so large that it has to be tackled by all parties – from the government, to businesses, civil societies and the public. 

July 3, International Plastic Bag Free Day, is a good time to shine the spotlight on alternative packaging solutions that are ecologically sensitive.

What do materials like bagasse (sugarcane residue), bamboo, and seaweed have in common? If the question foxed you, well, these are some of the varied kinds of materials that are being used in sustainable packaging.

Plastic woes

One of the major concerns regarding plastic packaging is their non-biodegradable nature, which poses a multitude of harmful effects on the environment. Therefore, alternative packaging solutions that are more environmentally friendly and designed to preserve the quality and freshness of products over an extended period are taking centre stage. Vandana Tandan, head of markets, India and Bangladesh, SIG Combibloc India Pvt. Ltd, says, “the key element offered by our packaging solutions is renewable paperboard, sourced from responsibly managed forests. We are also working towards increasing the share of renewable materials in our carton packs. This will help to reduce our reliance on fossil-based resources and support the transition to a more sustainable packaging solution. The straws and caps on our packs are completely recyclable. Furthermore, our lightweight carton packs are designed to minimise material usage, reduce wastage, and lower transportation emissions.”

Material matters

CHUK, a subsidiary of Yash Pakka, creates compostable solutions for the packaging industry which also includes the food sector, encompassing food packaging, food carry, and food service uses a 100 per cent sugarcane agri-residue called bagasse as raw material sourced from local sugar companies within a range of 200-250 km. “Our current product portfolio primarily consists of compostable base materials for packaging and compostable tableware suitable for both dine-in and delivery purposes. This raw material contains impurities like pith and lignin. Pith is removed by depithers. Lignin restricts fibre-binding; hence it is removed from the bagasse fibre in the pulp mill. The purified natural pulp is then moulded into tableware using automatic and semi-automatic thermoforming machines,” says Satish Chamyvelumani, business head, CHUK.

Varun Singh Bothiyal, senior director, Moglix adds, “our packaging solutions not only focus on plastic alternative products but also on the appropriate utilization of recycled materials to reduce overall carbon footprints, fully complying with the latest government regulations. We also prioritize sustainably sourced materials, such as FSC-certified paper, compostable made from agro-based materials, and bamboo and jute-based products, offering safe and sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging. We ensure the optimum selection of materials and processes to design solutions that support a circular economy and promote recyclability.” Bambrew manufactures and supplies packaging solutions made from recycled paper, Bamboo paper and other compostable and biodegradable material.

Bioplastic battle

Seaweed-based coatings are not only a viable alternative to the existing ones, they are also extremely high performing and cost effective. Zerocircle creates all their products from seaweed and is making a case for using naturally occurring polymers from seaweed as opposed to using bioplastics. “Bioplastics could be plant-based, but a lot of them are still made from petroleum-based resources, and the final product might still have synthetic components in them, making them difficult to recycle and compost. When it comes to

sustainability and environmental impact of the final product, ‘bioplastics’ remains a grey area. Naturally occurring polymers, on the other hand, are not only made from renewable sources like seaweed, but are designed to degrade and break down naturally without releasing any microplastics, toxic emissions and synthetic chemicals into the environment. These polymers are produced by living organisms through biological processes. They have a wide range of applications in various industries due to their unique biodegradability properties,” says Neha Jain, Founder and CEO, Zero Circle.

Product as a service

Understanding the packaging needs and associated pain points of a variety of institutions, InfinityBox has a model where they supply reusable containers as a service. This is a service that offers sustainable packaging options to clients like corporations, hospitals, universities, co-living spaces, co-working spaces, and food delivery platforms like Zomato and Swiggy. For example, disposable plastic containers used by Zomato and Swiggy are replaced by reusable options like Tupperware boxes. “The idea is to reuse this box so that we can reduce their carbon footprint. With corporates we find out their exact requirements and supply them the entire need for the day with reusable plates that are collected after use, washed, and reused. This reduces consumables, electricity, and water, and we clean them in two hours and send them back the next day. Zomato and Swiggy had a specific issue to reduce their single use plastics so we replaced it with reusable containers that we collect, wash and reuse. With Swiggy and Zomato, we have supplied over 1.5 lakh boxes that can be reused. The packaging is available in specific areas in Bengaluru and Mumbai and is planning to start in Delhi and Hyderabad,” says Shashwat Gangwal, Founder & CEO, InfinityBox. The impact of their work is tremendous as they have reduced 200,000 kg of disposable waste and with a new client are reducing 1 billion litres of fresh water through their solution.