Rising plastic prices provide momentum to change single-use plastic habits

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The rise in plastic prices due to limited raw material supplies is considered an opportunity to promote changes in public behaviour regarding the use of single-use plastics. Environmental activist Tiza Mafira from the Indonesia Plastic Bag Diet Movement stated that plastics have always had a cost, but it has not been visible to consumers. “Plastics have had a price from the beginning, but it has not been visible because it has always been subsidised by traders and given for free to consumers,” said Tiza when contacted by ANTARA on Wednesday. Tiza noted that the difference in consumer behaviour when shopping at supermarkets and traditional markets shows that changing habits is actually possible. “We see that consumers bring their own shopping bags when shopping at supermarkets, but not at markets. This is purely because market traders still provide them, meaning it is not because consumers cannot change,” she said. The Director of Climate Policy Initiative Indonesia added that the rise in plastic prices could be a starting point for small and medium enterprises to begin reducing their dependence on plastic. “The rise in plastic prices could be the momentum for MSME traders to finally dare to tell consumers that they cannot provide plastic,” she said. For plastic use other than plastic bags, such as in food vendors, Tiza mentioned that there are two approaches that can be applied by business actors. The first approach is to charge consumers directly for plastic containers other than plastic bags. Second, traders offer normal prices if consumers bring their own containers. According to her, this approach can encourage behavioural change without burdening traders. “That way, traders are not burdened, and consumers become accustomed to bringing their own containers,” said Tiza.