Alya Hanifatuzohrah1, Reni Astutik2, Arva Novarinda3
1,2,3,English Language Education Study Program, Universitas Islam Negri Mataram
Did you know, there are around 1 million plastic in the whole world and most of it end up as trash. The development of single-use plastic very rapidly in Indonesia and has a negative impact to the environment. Therefore, a deep understanding is very important regarding single-use plastic. It not handled well, plastic waste can cause flooding like a few months ago in the Mataram area. Therefore, the government must ban the use of single-use plastic to reduce environmental pollution.
Single-use plastic must be banned to reduce environmental pollution. Single-use plastic is a type of plastic designed for single use, items such as straws, plastic bags and plastic bottles are common examples of single-use plastic. The use of single use plastic continues to increase from year to year, which cause the volume plastic waste continue to increase. The use of single use plastic in daily life can cause great harm to the environment because plastic is difficult to decompose. Therefore, reducing single-use plastics is an important step to prevent environmental damage.
Piles of single-use plastic can damage the environment and endanger  people health. Because piles of plastic waste can clog the drain, causing flooding and can endanger human health. For example, in Depok city, the Kali Licin drainage system is clogged with plastic and styrofoam waste, triggering flooding in several neighborhood. A collaborative study in Malang found that microplastic have even been detected in human blood, urine, and amniotic fluid (Pratama, n.d.). Therefore, people must reduce single-use plastic and can managing waste single-use plastic well so that  a healthier environment.
People must realize that using single-use plastic can damage the environment. Because many people those who don't understand with dangers of single-use plastic. More than 430 millions tons of plastic are produced annually, and most of it becomes waste after single-use plastic (United Nations Environment Programme, 2023). For example, when shopping at the market, still use plastic to put shopping items. Therefore, it is important for people to reduce using single-use plastic to protect the environment. To overcome the treat post by single-use plastic waste, this can be done by reducing the use of single-use plastic and replacing it with tote bags and so on (Asosiasi Peneliti Dan Pengajar Ilmu Hukum Indonesia, n.d.)
In conclusion, single use plastic is an item made of plastic and designed for single use. And single use plastic has had a negative impact for environment, like can cause flooding, and harm human health. Environmental sustainability and human health very threatened with the use single use plastic. Therefore, it is very important to take immediate action to protect the environment.
References
Asosiasi Peneliti dan Pengajar Ilmu Hukum Indonesia. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2025, from https://journal.appihi.or.id/
Pratama, R. K. (n.d.). Aksi Peringatan Krisis Kesehatan Akibat Mikroplastik di Malang. TIMES Indonesia. Retrieved October 6, 2025, from https://timesindonesia.co.id/peristiwa-daerah/547735/aksi-peringatan-krisis-kesehatan-akibat-mikroplastik-di-malang
United Nations Environment Programme. (2023). Turning off the Tap: How the World can End Plastic Pollution and Create a Circular Economy. United Nations Environment Programme. https://doi.org/10.59117/20.500.11822/42277
