Single-Use Plastics in Indonesia

 Single-Use Plastics in Indonesia

     In my opinion about single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These items are things like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.We produce roughly 300 million tons of plastic each year and half of it is disposable! World-wide only 10-13% of plastic items are recycled. The nature of petroleum based disposable plastic makes it difficult to recycle and they have to add new virgin materials and chemicals to it to do so. Additionally there are a limited number of items that recycled plastic can be used.

      Petroleum based plastic is not biodegradable and usually goes into a landfill where it is buried or it gets into the water and finds it’s way into the ocean. Although plastic will not biodegrade (decompose into natural substance like soil,) it will degrade (break down) into tiny particles after many years. In the process of breaking down, it releases toxic chemicals (additives that were used to shape and harden the plastic) which make their way into our food and water supply.These toxic chemicals are now being found in our bloodstream and the latest research has found them to disrupt the Endocrine system  which can cause cancer, infertility, birth defects, impaired immunity and many other ailments.

       We produce hundreds of millions of tons of plastic every year, most of which cannot be recycled. It’s obvious that we need to use less plastic, move towards environmentally sustainable products and services and come up with technology that recycles plastic more efficiently. But above all, when we as consumers – the demand side – remain resistant, it is difficult to make a significant change. Our plastic footprint – the total amount of plastic used and discarded by a single individual – is worthy of our immediate attention. The average plastic consumption of individuals in Indonesia is around 21-22 kilograms per year while the plastic recycling rate was only 11%. Therefore, one person’s action can undeniably make a difference. When individuals collaborate to promote community action to curb single-use plastic pollution, imagine how impactful this could be.

         It definitely takes a process to achieve zero waste for single-use plastics. Just like when I started my effort in college, taking baby steps to reduce my use of plastic straws. There were times when I forgot to ask not to be given a plastic straw. I am still struggling to make a little change day by day, but this is the least that I can do and in my control. Inevitably, we will fail, forget and compromise. But it is about the commitment to keep going, to learn from mistakes, to keep improving, and adopt ‘new habits’. In the end, it comes down to us, both as individuals and members of local communities—be those villages, schools, companies or others—to take action.

If you are interested to take action, we welcome you to join our plastic-free communities campaign.

Why Jakarta Is Made The Capital City of Indonesia?

Why Jakarta Is Made  The Capital City of Indonesia?

     Jakarta is a port city formerly called Sunda Kelapa. But on June 22, 1527, Pangeran Fatahillah destroyed Sunda Kelapa and instead established the city of Jayakarta in the area. This date is then set as the date of the founding of the city of Jakarta. Jayakarta in the early 17th century was ruled by Prince Jayakarta, a relative of the Sultanate of Banten. In 1619, the VOC led by the Dutchman Jan Pieterszoon Coen occupied Jayakarta after defeating the forces of the Sultanate of Banten and then changing its name to Batavia. Batavia was built almost similar to the cities in the Netherlands, which were built in the form of blocks, each separated by a canal and protected by a wall as a fortress, and a moat. Batavia was completed in 1650. Old Batavia was the home of the Europeans, while the Chinese, Javanese and other indigenous peoples were removed to other places. The raging of World War 2 made the Dutch allies weak and Batavia fell into Japanese hands. Japan also changed the name Batavia to Djakarta. Until finally the Japanese allies lost the second world war, and there was a power vacuum.

       Because all previous government centers (during the Dutch and Japanese occupations) were centered in Jakarta, President Soekarno finally declared the independence of the Republic of Indonesia on August 17, 1945 in Jakarta. On January 4, 1946, the capital city of Indonesia, which was previously established in Jakarta, moved to Yogyakarta. This was done because the condition of the capital city of Jakarta was not conducive after various post-independence events. For almost two years, Sukarno and a number of the nation's founders ran the government in Yogyakarta as the capital, and eventually returned to Jakarta.

        DKI Jakarta Province is domiciled as the Capital of the Republic of Indonesia. DKI Jakarta Province is a special area that functions as the Capital of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and at the same time as an autonomous region at the provincial level.

DKI Jakarta Province has a role as the Capital of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia which has specific duties, rights, obligations and responsibilities in the administration of government and as a place of residence for representatives of foreign countries, as well as centers / representatives of international institutions.

  Gender Equality in Terms of Politics and economics

     Gender Equality is where women and man have the same rights. Without discrimination from any aspect, women and men are viewed equally and treated equally without seeing differences in rights. The level and position between women and men are considered equal and are not treated differently based on gender. Women have the right to be treated fairly and equally in public spaces, ranging from simple things to more complex things. In my opinion, the point is that there is no oppression for women on everything. Here is an example.

•    The first, Position in society is the same     as men.
•   The second, Get the highest formal education opportunities.
•    The third, Not treated harshly.
•   The fourth, Get room for politic.
•   And finally, Have the same ownership rights

        Companies that focus on women’s empowerment experience greater business success. Research shows investing in women and girls can lead to increases in productivity, organizational effectiveness, return on investment and higher consumer satisfaction.

        Women are underrepresented in power and decision-making roles. They receive unequal pay for equal work and they continue to be targets of physical and sexual abuse. Additionally, women-owned enterprises are economically disadvantaged and lack equal opportunity to compete for business opportunities. Women also face legal and other barriers that affect their opportunities at work and as entrepreneurs.

         Empowering women and girls helps expand economic growth, promote social development and establish more stable and just societies. Women’s economic empowerment benefits both women and children. It is pivotal to the health and social development of families, communities and nations. Further, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) underscore women’s empowerment as an important development objective, in and of itself, and highlight the relevance of gender equality to addressing a wide range of global challenges.

       A growing number of business leaders recognize the importance of women as leaders, consumers, entrepreneurs, workers and caretakers. They are adapting their policies, programmes and initiatives to create environments where women and girls thrive.We believe that at a minimum, business has the responsibility to respect the rights of women and girls, such as by putting in place non-discrimination and sexual harassment policies. In addition, companies can create inclusive business models and invest in women’s economic empowerment programmes. They can also partner with organizations to advance women’s rights and advocate for gender equality policies. Such actions to support women’s rights should be a complement, not a substitute for respecting women’s rights.

those are some of my opinions regarding gender equality. so don't forget to read my other opinions.