Surabaya, Indonesia: Promulgation of Mayor’s Regulation Prohibiting the Provision of Plastic Bags

“Mayor’s Regulation No. 16 of 2022 on the Reduction of the Use of Plastic Bags” was promulgated on March 9, 2022 in Surabaya, the capital of East Java, Indonesia. The Regulation prohibits the provision of plastic bags for shopping in shopping centers, supermarkets, etc., and requires instead that biodegradable bags be provided to consumers for a fee if necessary. The Regulation came into effect on April 9, 2022, and sanctions will be imposed on violators in the form of a verbal warning at the first stage, a written warning at the second stage, and confiscation at the third stage.

The original text of the Regulation can be downloaded from the following URL.
https://jdih.surabaya.go.id/pdfdoc/4103_PERWALI_16-2022.pdf

In addition, local media reports of comments by Agus Hebi Djuniantoro, Director of the Surabaya Municipal Department of the Environment about the Regulation can be viewed at the following URL.
https://www.suarasurabaya.net/kelanakota/2022/ini-model-kantong-plastik-yang-dikurangi-penggunaannya-di-surabaya/

Target products

A “plastic shopping bag” subject to the Regulation is defined as a bag with a handle that is made of or includes a plastic material, rubber, polyethylene, thermoplastic synthetic polymer or other similar material and is used as a medium for carrying items. Therefore, plastic packaging without a handle is not regulated (comment by Agus Hebi Djuniantoro, Director of the Surabaya Municipal Department of the Environment).

In addition, according to Director Agus Hebi Djuniantoro’s comments to local media, plastic straws could be added to the Regulation in the future.

Target business operators

The Regulation is targeted at the following business operators:

• • Shopping centers
  • Private markets
  • Supermarkets
  • Restaurants

These business operators are prohibited from using plastic bags and are obliged to use eco-friendly shopping bags. For example, supermarket and restaurant operators have the following obligations:

• • Refrain from providing plastic bags.
  • Provide eco-friendly shopping bags near the checkout cashier for a fee.
  • Raise awareness among consumers on the use of eco-friendly shopping bags.
  • Raise awareness on the negative impacts of the use of plastic bags.

The term “eco-friendly shopping bag” is defined as a reusable shopping bag made from organic raw materials rather than plastic, that is easy to disassemble and that can be used many times.