Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – In commemoration of World Environment Day 2025, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia has issued a Circular Letter encouraging the public to celebrate Eid al-Adha without plastic waste.
This year’s qurban (sacrificial ritual) is seen as a golden opportunity to demonstrate environmental awareness.
One tangible step being promoted is replacing single-use plastic bags with eco-friendly containers, such as besek (woven bamboo boxes) or leaves, to reduce plastic waste generated during the distribution of sacrificial meat.
In an official statement, the Ministry emphasized that this campaign is part of the global movement #BeatPlasticPollution, which the Ministry continues to champion.
Minister of Environment and Forestry, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, stated that the theme for World Environment Day 2025 is “Stop Plastic Pollution”, a translation of the global theme “Ending Plastic Pollution.” This theme responds to the growing urgency and scale of the environmental crisis.
“This campaign is not merely an annual ceremony, but a national commitment aligned with global efforts to save the planet from the threat of plastic waste,” said Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq.
The urgency of plastic waste control is supported by data from 2023, showing that Indonesia generated approximately 56.6 million tons of waste, with 18% or around 10 million tons being plastic waste.
However, only 39.01% of the total waste was properly managed. This places Indonesia in an environmental emergency that must be addressed systematically and comprehensively.
The government has implemented several concrete measures to tackle this challenge. These include:
- Banning plastic scrap imports
- Strengthening community-based recycling systems through Waste Banks and 3R Waste Management Facilities
- Developing Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) technology
- Enforcing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle, which holds producers accountable for the waste generated from their products
“Polluter pays must be the main principle. Producers must not wash their hands of the waste they create,” Minister Hanif firmly stated.
The 2025 World Environment Day celebrations will be held from June 22 to 24 in Jakarta. The event will feature exhibitions of eco-friendly technology, thematic seminars, a national waste management conference, art performances, educational competitions, and other public activities.
It will involve hundreds of institutions from various sectors and encourage active public participation as part of a cultural transformation toward sustainable living.
“This is not just a yearly ceremony, but a call to save the future,” said Minister Hanif.
“World Environment Day 2025 is a collective moment. Now is the time to move together — not just for today’s generation, but for a future Earth still worth living in,” he concluded. *
