Fahreza Fahreza
IPMI International Business School
Amelia Naim Indrajaya
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Based on study published in the journal Science led by Jenna Jamback from the University of Georgia released on 2010, Indonesia produces 3.2 million tons of plastic waste in 2010 with around 1.29 million tons of that ending up in the ocean, it ranks second only to China as the world’s largest plastic polluter.
This plastic waste causes problems, for instance clogged waterways and drainage systems cause floods in urban areas after rainfalls, causing health problems such as malaria and other water borne diseases. Plastic waste also threatened marine life, hurting the country’s fishing and tourism industries, a reason for tourists to avoid these places.
In year 2016, their government regulated scheme that limited to formal retailers at first, to reduce the total plastic waste produced in Indonesia which regulate supermarkets and retailers to set the price for each plastic bag at between Rp200 ($0.01) and Rp500.
PT Inter Aneka Lestari Kimia, the producer of reputable leak-proof coating paint, as well as manufacturers of plastic master batch and compound for the purposes of the plastics processing industry, trying to offer a new breakthrough. The company released bio-degradable products made from natural renewable substances, to replace of petroleum-based plastic bags such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). These products given brand "ENVIPLAST". The product firstly introduced in 2011 to the market.
Based on interview with Sri Megawati, Sales & Marketing Executive for Enviplast, their main ingredient of this bio-degradable products is made from natural renewable ingredients, such as cassava flour (starch) and vegetable oil derivatives. It makes Enviplast environmentally friendly, safe for plant growth, and not harmful to the animals, both on land and in the water.
Enviplast looks like plastic, but it is not plastic. So, although it can be degraded in a short period of 3 months, compared to the plastic from petroleum-based raw materials which take hundreds of years-in the affairs of the power load capacity, Enviplast not inferior to the strength of plastics in general. They designed innovative product to curb the use of conventional single use plastic bags.
Enviplast is also a perfect solution for plastic bag problem. They look, feel and perform like plastic but are made from cassava flour and vegetable oil, making them 100% compostable unlike other biodegradable alternatives. They can be recycled with paper and have various applications; bio-based shopping bags, poly-bags, garbage bags, and general packaging.
Sri Megawati explained that Enviplast is poised to enter a host of international markets. The company is focused on entering regions where consumers have demonstrated a proclivity for eco-friendly products and are thus targeting cooperation with clients and distributors in developed markets. With new regulations soon to curb the use of plastic bags abroad, foreign companies have reciprocated this interest and Enviplast will soon begin exports into a number of key markets around the world; indicative of the global nature of this movement towards green lifestyles.
To prevent Indonesia from sinking on plastic waste and to prevent further pollution of the oceans, innovative solutions are needed. Using degradable bag as alternative for disposable plastics, it helps to reduce accumulation of waste and conserves natural resources also contributes to the green economy. By using degradable bag living environments get cleaner and waterways will be less polluted. In addition, local governments benefit from these activities as less waste needs to be collected and disposed of at landfills.
According to Ibu Sri Megawati, PT Inter Aneka Lestari Kimia is currently accepting orders from airlines, restaurants, and hotels. Currently they production capacity is 50,000 MT per year.
The company’s good for the environment mission to find solutions to polluting the planet has led to honors for its innovations. In recognition of their steadfast commitment to innovation and their development of cassava-based Enviplast, PT Inter Aneka Lestari Kimia received the Industry Technology Pioneer Award from the Ministry of Industry on 7th December 2012. Enviplast also successfully obtains an award during the 2nd ASEAN Plastic Awards 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Its operations and sourcing from local tapioca cooperatives has attracted media attention in Kompas, the Jakarta Post and other publications.
Enviplast is 50%-100% more expensive, but still in demand because people want a eco-friendly product that is not harming the environment.
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