Surabaya (Antara Jatim) - Bringing reusable bags while going shopping is one of the best possible ways to reduce the use of plastic, Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini said.
"The use of plastic is very high while plastic trash is difficult to decompose. It takes around 100 years for plastic bags to decompose," she said after holding a teleconference with Forestry and Environment Minister Siti Nurbaya on Sunday coinciding with the launch of Indonesia Trash Free Movement 2020.
The minister also held teleconference with the mayors of Bandung, Balikpapan and Makassar.
During the teleconference, Risma was accompanied by Vice Mayor Whisnu Sakti Buana, Head of the Surabaya City Environment Office Musdiq Ali Suhudi and Head of the Surabaya City Sanitation and Landscaping Office Chalid Buchari.
Risma said residents of Surabaya, including school children have so far recycled garbage as part of environment management efforts.
"The children have recycled plastic trash into accessories and clothes they are wearing this morning," she said.
In response, Siti Nurbaya said the Surabaya city government and people have good reputation in terms of environmental management.
The minister believes Surabaya will be able to take the lead in managing the environment. "We all know Mrs Risma is the mother of the environment. We believe Surabaya will be free from trash thanks to Mrs. Risma's innovation, local residents' hard work and children's creativity," she said.
Risma said the city government launched an anti-plastic campaign last year. Since then, the Surabaya City Environment Board (BLH) has routinely conducted the campaign during car-free day, she said.
"I ask BLH to launch an anti-plastic campaign as I see the use of plastic is extraordinary. Unless we launch a massive movement, we will find it hard to control it because it takes 100 years to decompose," she added.(*)
Editor : Akhmad Munir
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Jawa Timur 2016