Indonesia Confidently Targets Zero Plastic Waste by 2029, Pushes for Global Plastics Treaty

Although Negotiations Stalled, Indonesia Reaffirms Commitment to Tackling Plastic Pollution

Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH), Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to be at the forefront of global efforts to stop plastic pollution.

This message was delivered during the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee Session 5.2 (INC-5.2) in Geneva, Switzerland, in mid-August 2025. Indonesia’s presence at the international forum was not only to strengthen its position in the negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty but also to push forward the national agenda for sustainable waste management.

Why Is This Important?

Plastic pollution has become a major threat to the environment, health, and the future of the global economy. Unfortunately, global negotiations are progressing slowly. Therefore, Indonesia is pushing for negotiations to be fair, inclusive, and considerate of the conditions of each country, especially developing countries that still require support in technology, funding, and investment.

Indonesia’s Target: Zero Plastic Waste by 2029

Indonesia has set a target for 100% of waste, including plastics, to be properly managed by 2029. This target is outlined in Presidential Regulation Number 12 of 2025 on the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

The measures taken include:

• Phasing out problematic plastics and hazardous chemicals.
• Reducing existing pollution.
• Preventing plastic leakage into the environment.

Producers Must Also Take Responsibility

In a dialogue with the Global Business Coalition involving more than 300 companies, Indonesia emphasized the importance of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This means that producers are obligated to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, including when they become waste. In this way, the burden of waste management does not fall solely on society or the government.

International Collaboration

Beyond global forums, Indonesia is also strengthening bilateral cooperation with:

• The United Kingdom: supporting biodiversity protection, flood prevention in the Ciliwung River, and funding to prevent plastic leakage into the ocean.
• The Netherlands: focusing on waste-to-energy management, sustainable product design, and research on eco-friendly plastics.

Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation through international forums such as the G20 and UNEA, as well as to accelerate the agreement on the Global Plastics Treaty.

With or Without an Agreement, Indonesia Moves Forward

Although the INC-5.2 meeting ended without consensus, Indonesia affirmed it will not stop. “With or without an agreement, Indonesia will continue to take concrete steps to end plastic pollution,” Minister Hanif stressed.

This is in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to ensure that all waste is properly managed by 2029.

Plastic pollution is a global issue, but its impacts are tangible around us: clogged rivers, polluted seas, and even microplastics entering our food chain. The government has already taken action, the business sector is sharing responsibility, and now it is our turn as a society. Let us begin with small steps: reduce single-use plastics, reuse items that can still be used, and support local waste management policies.

Because the future of the Earth is in all of our hands.