The findings matter because Indonesia has become one of the world’s primary destinations for imported plastic waste, particularly after China restricted waste imports in 2018. The study shows that this global system transfers environmental burdens from wealthy nations to developing countries, creating long-term ecological, social, and economic consequences.
Global Waste Trade and Rising Environmental Pressure
For years, developed countries have exported plastic waste to developing nations, including Indonesia. This practice has accelerated in recent years, contributing to severe pollution across rivers, landfills, and coastal areas.
Regions such as Java and Bali are among the hardest hit. Plastic waste accumulates in waterways and shorelines, damaging marine ecosystems and threatening livelihoods that depend on fishing and tourism. The issue is not only environmental—it also exposes structural inequality in global trade systems.
Hendrawan’s research frames this phenomenon as “waste colonialism,” a system in which developed countries externalize the environmental costs of their consumption to less-developed nations.
Research Approach: Combining Data and Community Insights
The study uses a mixed-methods approach to examine the crisis from multiple perspectives. The research combines:
- Policy analysis of international and national regulations
- Literature review on global waste trade and environmental justice
- Participatory interviews with affected communities
- Spatial mapping to identify pollution hotspots
This approach allows the research to capture both statistical trends and lived experiences, providing a comprehensive understanding of how waste imports affect local communities.
Key Findings: Disproportionate Impact on Indonesia
The research identifies several critical findings:
- Sharp increase in plastic waste imports: Indonesia received approximately 116,000 tons of plastic waste in 2019 following China’s import ban.
- Pollution hotspots: Areas such as the Citarum River in Java and coastal regions of Bali serve as major accumulation points.
- Health risks: Open burning of plastic waste contributes to respiratory illnesses and other health problems.
- Economic losses: Pollution reduces fishery yields and weakens tourism potential.
- Social inequality: Low-income communities are the most affected, despite contributing least to global waste production.
The study also finds that international agreements such as the Basel Convention and proposed UN Plastic Treaty have not effectively stopped exploitative waste trade. Weak enforcement and limited political commitment allow illegal waste shipments to continue.
Limitations of Current Solutions
Existing solutions often focus on technical approaches such as recycling and circular economy models. While these strategies help reduce waste volumes, they do not address the root problem—global inequality in waste distribution.
Hendrawan argues that without structural reform, technical solutions will remain insufficient. The global system continues to enable wealthier countries to shift environmental responsibility elsewhere.
Community Action: Local Solutions Making a Difference
Despite systemic challenges, local communities in Indonesia are actively responding to the crisis. In Bali, the “Bye Bye Plastic Bags” movement demonstrates how grassroots initiatives can drive change.
The movement has successfully:
- Raised public awareness through education campaigns
- Influenced local policies to restrict single-use plastics
- Promoted environmentally friendly alternatives
- Expanded community participation in environmental action
These initiatives highlight the importance of gotong royong (mutual cooperation), a traditional Indonesian value that strengthens collective action and local problem-solving.
Implications: Toward Environmental Justice
The study proposes several key strategies to address the crisis:
1. International accountabilityWaste-exporting countries must be held legally responsible for environmental damage in importing nations.
2. Reduction of plastic production
Global plastic production should be reduced by at least 50% by 2030 to limit waste generation.
3. Environmental recovery funding
A global fund is needed to support cleanup and restoration efforts in affected countries like Indonesia.
4. Strengthening local solutions
Policies should integrate community-based approaches rooted in local culture and cooperation.
5. Reform of global waste governance
International agreements must become binding and enforceable, not voluntary.
These recommendations emphasize that plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue, but also a matter of justice and equity.
Academic Perspective
Erlyna Hendrawan of Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Kharisma emphasizes that the crisis requires a fundamental shift in how global waste systems are understood and managed.
She highlights that “plastic pollution is not merely a technical problem, but a justice issue where affected communities must be included in decision-making processes.”
Her work integrates environmental justice theory with global political dynamics, offering a broader framework for addressing systemic inequality in waste management.
Author Profile
Erlyna Hendrawan is a researcher and academic at the Faculty of Christian Theology Postgraduate Program, Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Kharisma, Bandung, Indonesia. Her research focuses on environmental justice, global ethics, and socio-political dimensions of ecological issues. She combines theological, social, and political perspectives to analyze environmental crises and propose equitable solutions.
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