Cirebon Regency promotes use of teak leaves as food wrappers

The use of teak leaves or banana leaves as an alternative for food packaging can be implemented because these materials are easily obtainable. Cirebon (ANTARA) - The Cirebon Regency Government in West Java is promoting the utilisation of teak leaves or banana leaves as food wrappers to replace single-use plastics, whose prices have currently risen. Deputy Regent of Cirebon Agus Kurniawan Budiman in Cirebon on Friday said that this step is part of the local government’s strategy to reduce plastic waste generation. He stated that the issue of plastic waste in the area has now become a serious concern that requires the involvement of all parties, including the community and business actors. “Cirebon has local wisdom in using teak leaves and banana leaves as food wrappers. This can be optimised again because it is more environmentally friendly,” he said. The practice of using teak leaves, he said, has long been known in local culinary traditions, such as in the serving of nasi jamblang which is iconic with leaf wrapping. According to him, the increase in plastic prices can be used as a momentum to change community habits to switch to more environmentally friendly materials. In addition to the plastic reduction campaign, the local government is also mapping locations of illegal waste dumping so that handling efforts are more directed. “Of that number, 22 points are in the western region and 18 other points are in the eastern region of Cirebon,” he said. He emphasised that reducing plastic use from the source is considered the most effective step in the long term. “We are also opening opportunities for collaboration with the community and business actors so that the transition to environmentally friendly packaging can run optimally,” he said. Meanwhile, Ridwan, one of the nasi jamblang sellers in Cirebon, mentioned that the use of teak leaves in the region’s signature cuisine is still maintained. Teak leaves, he said, have become the identity and uniqueness of the nasi jamblang serving process in Cirebon. “If the price of plastic materials is indeed rising now. For example, plastic bags, which used to be Rp9,000, are now Rp13,000 per package. So with teak leaves, it could perhaps become an alternative,” he said.