INDONESIA’S RESPONSE TO US WASTE EXPORTS FROM THE IMPACT OF CHINA’S WASTE BAN (2016-2019)

Abstract

The recoverable waste trade is a global business that generates billions of dollars, and Millions of tonnes of recovered materials are shipped between countries. Most of the trade comes from developed countries and goes to developing countries because recycling costs are cheaper in developing countries, and China is the world's first destination and the biggest importer of waste. However, after 25 years of being a savior, in early 2018, China banned the import of household plastic waste and 23 other types of solid waste. The export of plastic waste from the United States (US) to developing countries has increased. As a result, other countries in the Southeast Asia region, including Indonesia, receive much plastic waste from countries that previously exported waste to China. The purposes of this research to analyze the impact of China's waste import ban towards the US, waste export in Indonesia, and Indonesia's Response to US Waste Exports in 2016-2019. This research will use qualitative research method by using descriptive analysis type of research and collect the data by using document based research and internet based research. The results of this study China's move to ban waste imports has an impact on the United States, which is one of the largest exporters of waste to China. The US responds to China's ban by exporting waste to developing countries, one of which is Indonesia, because it realizes that it cannot handle the waste it produces, and developing countries are an option because it is still considered weak. To that end, Indonesia took a stance in handling these exports with the government re-exporting.