Java Sea Plastic Emergency: More Than Just an Environmental Issue
Indonesia has become one of the largest contributors of plastic waste to the world’s oceans. In the Java Sea, the impact is already being deeply felt by the community.
Every day, millions of tons of plastic waste from the mainland flow through rivers on Java Island into the sea. This process has been ongoing for decades, and the results are now clearly visible: the Java Sea has become one of the waters with the highest levels of plastic pollution in Southeast Asia.
According to reports from Our World in Data, referencing 2015 and updated data through 2019, Indonesia holds the position of the world’s second-largest contributor of plastic waste to the ocean, with volumes reaching hundreds of thousands of tons per year. The Java Sea, as waters flanked by large and densely populated cities, bears the heaviest burden of this waste stream.
The impact is not merely about unsightly beaches. Scientific research shows that plastic entering the sea will break down into small particles known as microplastics. A number of studies published in international journals, such as Marine Pollution Bulletin and Environmental and Environmental Science & Technology, have found the presence of microplastics in the bodies of consumable fish caught in Indonesian waters, including the Java Sea.
The implications directly touch daily life. Fish containing microplastics are consumed by millions of Indonesian families as a primary protein source. Toxicological research indicates that continuous exposure to microplastics has the potential to disrupt hormonal systems and trigger inflammation in the human body, although long-term research on humans is still evolving.
Regarding policy, the Indonesian government has established written commitments. Presidential Regulation Number 83 of 2018 on Marine Debris Management targets a 70 per cent reduction in marine plastic waste by 2025. However, various reports from environmental organisations note that the realisation of this target remains far from expectations, primarily due to weak waste management infrastructure in coastal areas and a lack of coordination between agencies.
Some community-based initiatives are beginning to show positive results. Waste bank programmes in several coastal areas of Java have successfully collected and recycled significant amounts of plastic waste from the sea. However, environmental observers argue that structural solutions are still required, including policies that mandate producers to be responsible for the recycling of their product packaging, known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
A comparison with global policies serves as a useful mirror. The European Union has implemented a ban on single-use plastic products since July 2021, covering straws, plastic cutlery, and plastic-stemmed cotton buds. This step is considered effective in reducing the volume of plastic waste entering European waters. To date, Indonesia does not yet have an equivalent regulation that is legally binding.
The issue of plastic waste in the Java Sea is not solely an environmental problem; it is a matter of public health, food security, and social justice. Small-scale fishermen on the northern coast of Java are the ones most affected by the impact, despite contributing the least to the problem. The solution requires more than just cleanliness campaigns; it demands serious policy reform and genuine industrial commitment.