Plastic Waste Threatens Indonesian Marine Biodiversity and Economy

Indonesia's rich marine biodiversity is facing a severe threat from plastic waste pollution. According to a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), plastic pollution is one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss globally, with annual plastic production surging since 1950. Recycling rates remain low at only 10%, and an estimated 130 million tons of plastic waste contaminate water, air, and soil annually. Projections indicate that if no significant action is taken by the global community, the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean could more than double by 2040, equivalent to dumping a garbage truck of plastic into the sea every second. The economic impact of this phenomenon is substantial. It is estimated that 75-150 million tons of plastic in the global ocean cause losses ranging from $500 billion to $2.5 trillion annually due to the loss or degradation of marine ecosystem services. Various sectors are affected, including fisheries and tourism. Economic losses also stem from the destruction of mangrove forests, which reduces carbon sequestration capacity. Furthermore, plastic production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, amounting to 2.7 billion tons per year. Projections suggest that by 2040, plastic-related emissions could surpass the emissions of every country. In the Indonesian context, Alaika Rahmatullah, a researcher at the Ecological Observation and Wetland Conservations (Ecoton), highlighted that the "leakage of waste" from rivers is exacerbating marine pollution. Her research indicates that 82% of waste entering the ocean originates from rivers, with the remaining 18% coming from coastal and shore areas. Poor waste management from upstream sources is worsening the situation. Ecoton's 2026 study found that in the northern coastal areas of Surabaya City, the average daily leakage of waste from rivers into the sea reaches 1.5 tons. This represents a nearly tenfold increase compared to findings in 2023. Rahmatullah emphasized that addressing marine waste should begin at the source – the rivers.