A hopeful student-led experiment turning banana peels into biodegradable packaging to battle Indonesia's plastic plague
Indonesia generates over 190,000 tons of waste every day, of which roughly 25,000 tons is plastic, 20 percent of that leaks into rivers and coastal waters, fueling one of the world's worst marine pollution crises. Despite a 2017 presidential decree aiming to cut ocean plastics by 70 percent by 2025, an estimated 12.87 million tons of plastic still infiltrated Indonesian seas in 2023. Inside Jakarta alone, plastic comprises 34 percent of daily waste (nearly 7,702 tons) while open burning of imported plastics in East Java tofu factories adds toxic dioxins to the mix. Against this backdrop, young innovators are prototyping biodegradable packaging from banana peels and other plant fibers, offering a scalable, low-cost solution that aligns with national goals and resonates with conscious consumers.
Introduction: A Plastic Crisis Knocking on Our Door
Indonesia is the world's second-largest contributor of ocean plastics after China, producing 3.2 million tons of unmanaged plastic waste annually, 1.29 million tons of which ends up at sea (UNEP - UN Environment Programme). Every Indonesian may inhale some 90 microplastic particles each week, according to recent ECOTON research, posing hidden health risks. Local NGOs like Sungai Watch, which nets three tons of river plastics daily in Bali, underline both the scale of the problem and the power of grassroots action. Yet while government policies such as JAKSTRANAS and the Marine Debris Action Plan set the stage for systemic change, meaningful progress needs innovation at the community level, where students and young entrepreneurs can make a tangible difference.
Innovation Spotlight: From Banana Peels to Biodegradable Bags
Inspired by Elif Bilgin's award-winning banana bioplastic, student teams across Indonesia are experimenting with plant-based materials (banana peels, coconut husks, agricultural residues) to mold compostable packaging sheets in simple presses and molds. By blending mashed peels with natural binders (like glycerin, vinegar) and heating under low pressure, prototypes achieve sufficient tensile strength to replace single-use plastic bags for small vendors. Biodegradability tests (burying samples in soil or using compost-testing kits) confirm complete breakdown within 6--8 weeks, a dramatic improvement over centuries-lasting polyethylene.
Pilot Programs and Partnerships
