Waste Awareness Day: Minister urges action to cut plastic waste

In an official statement issued here on Saturday, Nurofiq, who also serves as head of the Environmental Management Agency, said the commemoration should serve as a key momentum to accelerate concrete action following President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to address Indonesia’s waste problem.

This year’s campaign is being carried out under the vision of the Safe, Healthy, Clean, and Beautiful Indonesia Movement (ASRI).

“Waste issues will never be fully resolved if we focus only on downstream solutions such as landfills. The key to success lies in behavioral change upstream. I invite all elements of this nation to start taking concrete steps from the smallest unit, beginning with ourselves,” he said.

He noted that waste reduction efforts can start by treating households as the smallest unit in waste management.

These habits can then be extended to maintaining cleanliness in neighborhoods, workplaces, and educational institutions, he added.

“From businesses to public spaces, circular economy principles must be integrated into every economic activity so that waste is no longer a burden but a resource,” he said.

According to the minister, the government cannot work alone and requires cross-sector collaboration with academics, communities, businesses, and the media to educate the public and implement innovative waste management solutions.

The 2026 National Waste Awareness Day is expected to mark a turning point in waste management efforts.

“Start the National Safe, Healthy, Clean, and Beautiful Indonesia Movement (ASRI) today, from wherever you are. Happy National Waste Awareness Day (HPSN) 2026. Let us tackle waste and move Indonesia forward,” Nurofiq said.

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Translator: Prisca, Kenzu