#52 A POLICY STUDENT'S TAKE ON PLASTIC WASTE : WHAT I'VE LEARNED

 

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Did you know Indonesia is one of the biggest plastic polluters in the ocean? Millions of tons of plastic waste flood our environment every year, and Malang is no exception. A few months ago, I came across a video on social media showing Bali’s beaches covered in plastic waste, with waves carrying more trash than seawater. The comments were filled with frustration. Tourists blaming locals, locals blaming poor waste management, and others pointing at big corporations. But what struck me the most was a fact buried in the discussion: microplastics are now found in the fish we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe. That realization made me wonder. How bad is the plastic waste problem in my own city, Malang? And more importantly, what is being done about it? 

This issue, kind of important. Basically the waste or specifically plastic waste as a big problem but not sexy enough by the government to trying to end up this problem. First thing first I want to give the disclaimer about my statement is based on what I see around my environment. But, after I digging deeper on my thesis (basically talk about this issue) I believe my statement is true. 

i'll engage you to tryna build a critical thinking about this issue. If I told you that the plastic cup you used for your iced coffee today would still exist 500 years from now, would you think twice before throwing it away? did you think it will be decomposed by the nature ? in case we talk about the substance that quite hard to decomposed, consist of inorganic composition so definitely hard to be decomposed.  

The Reality of Plastic Waste in Malang District

As a political science student specializing in public policy, I have always been intrigued by how government decisions translate into real-world impacts, particularly in addressing environmental challenges. When choosing my thesis topic, I wanted to explore an issue that directly affects my community and demands urgent policy intervention, plastic waste management. The increasing plastic pollution in Malang is not just an environmental concern but also a governance issue, where ineffective regulations, limited public awareness, and inadequate waste management systems contribute to the crisis. 

This problem underscores the critical role of government in implementing comprehensive policies, enforcing regulations, and fostering collaboration between industries and communities to create sustainable solutions. Through my research, I have examined how policy frameworks influence plastic waste management and what strategic changes are necessary to bridge the gap between regulation and real impact. Through my research, I discovered that Malang struggles with several key issues in plastic waste management, from inadequate waste segregation to limited public awareness. In this blog, I’ll share what I’ve learned, the challenges we face, and the possible policy solutions that can help address this growing problem. Before we dive into possible solutions, let’s first understand the reality of plastic waste in Malang and why it has become such a pressing issue. 

Plastic waste has become an increasingly visible problem in Malang District, with streets, rivers, and public spaces often littered with discarded plastic packaging. Despite various waste management initiatives, a significant portion of plastic waste still ends up in landfills or, worse, pollutes waterways like the Brantas River, which supplies water to millions of people. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of an effective waste segregation system. Many residents still mix organic and non-organic waste, making recycling difficult. Additionally, while some local policies promote waste reduction, enforcement remains weak, and community participation is inconsistent. Informal waste collectors play a crucial role in plastic recycling, but without stronger government support and infrastructure, their efforts alone are not enough to tackle the growing crisis. This situation highlights the urgent need for a more comprehensive and enforceable plastic waste management strategy in Malang.

As a people of Malang district I feel upset because the less of awareness of the people will bring the catastrophe for others people. In this era, we just throw the waste away and think that the solution to keep the house or environment clean. But, we never think, how the cycle of waste in nature itself? is the nature can help us to keep the balance of the nature? that quite important because start from that mindset, will rise the awareness to focus in this issue. 

What I’ve Learned from My Research

Through my research, I discovered that plastic waste mismanagement in Malang is not just an urban issue it deeply affects rural communities as well. I visited several villages in Gampingan, Pagak, and Bululawang, where plastic waste burning has become a common practice due to the lack of proper waste disposal systems. Walking through these areas, I could see piles of plastic being burned in open fields and even near homes, releasing thick, toxic smoke into the air. Many residents I spoke with were aware of the health risks, such as respiratory issues and skin irritation, but with no reliable waste collection services, they felt they had no other choice. This experience made me realize that plastic pollution is not just an environmental problem. It’s a public health crisis and a policy failure. Without stronger government intervention, these villages will continue to bear the brunt of ineffective waste management, putting both the environment and their well-being at risk. 

In the way of progress for my thesis, i often talk with environmental activist who lived at gampingan. the biggest problem and still happend until right now is the waste contribution from a company that exist and give much plastic waste or paper waste to be burn for. It is quite hard to explained, because I'll face the fact that the "thing" has the power and close with village government. Complicated, but that the fact happend right now. Waste, or any kind of waste suddenly change from the environmental problem into political and sectoral ego issues. 

Policy Solutions: What Can Be Done ? 

Addressing plastic waste in Malang requires a multi-layered policy approach that goes beyond short-term clean-up efforts. First, the local government must strengthen waste segregation policies by implementing stricter regulations and providing accessible waste collection services, especially in rural areas like Gampingan, Pagak, and Bululawang. Without proper infrastructure, communities will continue resorting to harmful practices like open burning. Second, incentives for businesses to adopt sustainable packaging and circular economy models should be expanded, reducing plastic waste at the source. Additionally, community engagement plays a vital role, awareness campaigns, education programs, and partnerships with informal waste collectors can encourage responsible waste disposal. Learning from successful models in other regions, Malang could also explore a waste-to-energy initiative or stricter enforcement of producer responsibility laws. Ultimately, solving this crisis requires not just policy reforms but also consistent enforcement and collaboration between the government, private sector, and local communities. 

Personal Reflections: Why This Issues Matter to Me 

Researching plastic waste management has been an eye-opening experience that changed the way I see environmental policy. Before diving into this topic, I viewed plastic pollution as a distant issues something discussed in global climate talks but not necessarily urgent in my daily life. However, visiting villages like Gampingan, Pagak, and Bululawang, where people are forced to burn plastic just to manage their waste, made me realize the human cost of weak policies and poor infrastructure. Seeing firsthand how environmental problems intersect with public health, poverty, and governance strengthened my belief that policy is not just about regulations. It’s about real people’s lives. This experience has also reinforced my passion for working in public policy and finance, where I hope to contribute to more effective, long-term solutions that balance economic growth with sustainability.

I learn a lot and realized that some little thing can be affected wider. Regulation or decision by the government it will really involved the people life. As a public policy student, i've neever think the regulation that produce will be affected that far. as a public adminstrator we need to focus and protect the vulnerable people who affected the most by the regulations. In this case, we can see the ego sectoral and political issues can asides the affect of plastic waste management. I've learn the people always disadvantaged above the political issues and sectoral ego. 

Conclusion 

Plastic waste management in Malang is more than just an environmental issue. It’s a governance, public health, and social challenge that requires urgent attention. My research has shown that without proper policies, enforcement, and community involvement, the problem will only worsen, affecting both urban and rural areas. From ineffective waste segregation to plastic burning in villages like Gampingan and Pagak it’s clear that current efforts are not enough. However, solutions exist stronger government intervention, better waste infrastructure, corporate responsibility, and increased public awareness can all drive real change. As individuals, we can start by reducing plastic use and supporting policies that promote sustainability. But ultimately, lasting solutions require systemic change, and that begins with better policies and stronger commitment from all stakeholders. The question now is: how much longer will we wait before taking action?