Phenomenon Emerges: Warteg Vendors and Market Traders Becoming Stingy with Plastic Bags

Rising plastic prices are causing some warteg vendors and market traders to become reluctant to provide free plastic bags.

Some warteg vendors in the Tanah Abang area, Central Jakarta, are growing anxious over plastic prices that show no sign of falling. They even complain about customers requesting extra plastic because they want their sides and chilli separated, though the portions are not particularly large.

Nevertheless, they choose not to raise their food prices for fear of driving away customers. One such vendor, Irna, explains that the increase in plastic prices has inflated costs, but she is forced not to raise selling prices lest customers flee.

“It’s true, plastic prices are high right now; we used to buy a pack for Rp25,000, now it’s Rp39,000 per pack. But we don’t want to raise food prices, or customers will run away,” said Irna when met by CNBC Indonesia on Tuesday (5/5/2026).

However, she complains about customers who buy just a small amount of side dish but request extra plastic because they want the side separated from the chilli.

“But what makes us grumble is customers who only buy one side, like tempeh, but ask for the chilli separated, which uses extra plastic,” she explained.

Echoing Irna, another warteg vendor named Putra also says he has not raised his selling prices. However, the rise in plastic prices has reduced his income by 10%, as the cost of buying plastic has become more expensive.

“Regarding high plastic prices, the impact on prices—we don’t raise them, as usual, but for those who ask for extra plastic but buy little, we don’t give it,” said Putra.

Putra’s reason for not raising food selling prices is also that he does not want to lose customers, including regulars.

“Yes, it’s tough if we don’t raise prices, but if we do, no one will buy,” he clarified.

Market Traders Start Being Stingy with Free Plastic

Not only warteg vendors, but market traders are also beginning not to provide free plastic for small purchases. Some traders at Gili Market, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, also complain that plastic prices show no sign of decreasing.

However, instead of raising product prices, the traders have stopped giving out plastic for free.

One of them, Diah, a grocery vendor, says that currently, customers requesting extra plastic for additional wrapping are no longer given it.

“If a customer asks for double plastic, I don’t give it anymore, but if they ask for one, that’s fine,” said Diah.

She also has not raised her grocery selling prices amid the plastic price increase.

“No, I don’t raise selling prices; I just don’t give extra plastic anymore to those who ask for more,” she stated.

Similarly, Rini, a vegetable vendor, says that for small-quantity purchases, she does not provide plastic.

“Plastic is expensive right now; customers who usually buy in small amounts, we don’t give them plastic; we use paper instead—like for chillies, if the purchase is small, we use paper wrapping,” said Rini.

She also explains that plastic prices are no longer just increasing but have changed entirely.

“For example, clear plastic—before, I could buy it for Rp15,000, now it’s Rp18,000; there are also plastics that used to be Rp9,000, now Rp15,000; that’s what they call a price change,” she clarified.