Customs officers have uncovered imports of scrap mixed with other waste such as rubber and diapers.(Photo: AFP/VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia plans tighter rules to stem a surge inimports of plastic waste.
Director General of Foreign Trade at the Trade Ministry Oke Nuwan told press onJuly 26 that Indonesia had notified 15 countries, home to key exporters, of thenew checks.
According to the official, Indonesia will require registry of trash exportersand increase tougher border checks.
He pledged stricter punishment for any violation of the new rules.
Indonesia has rules aimed at imported plastic scrap as recommended from theenvironment ministry and proof of surveyor checks. However, customs officershave uncovered imports of scrap mixed with other waste such as rubber anddiapers, and have ordered them shipped back to their home countries.
Data from the statistics agency showed imports of plastic waste rose 141percent last year to 283,000 tonnes, after China decided not to import thewaste to clean up its environment from January 2018.
Indonesia is struggling to deal with its own waste, which often goes intolandfills or seeps into rivers. The country is the second biggest contributorof plastic pollutants in the ocean, a 2015 study in the journal Science showed.To cut pollution, Indonesia also sought a levy on plastic bags but the parliamentdelayed the move, following industry complains.-VNA
VNA
