Marine Debris Management in the Parangtritis Beach Tourism Area, Yogyakarta During Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Parangtritis Beach, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is one of the most visited tourist destinations for domestic and international tourists. These tourists are required to carry out health protocols by wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The high number of visits is linear with the generation of waste in tourist areas. Marine debris is defined as any solid material that settles, dumps, or is dumped, dumped, or disposed of in the marine and coastal environment. Efficient management of marine debris is a coordinated strategic approach to dealing with problems and inefficient law enforcement to improve the preservation of the marine environment. This study aimed to analyze the composition, characteristics, and management of marine debris in the Parangtritis Beach area during the COVID-19 pandemic. The amount of waste generated during the pandemic was recorded at 0.9 kg/m2.day. Sampling is carried out using the line transect method. The composition of waste consists of PET, PE, other plastics, biodegradable organics, and masks, each of which is 17.86%, 32.54%, 6.85%, 37.61% and 5.14%. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mask waste has become waste that has a new category, namely infectious. The characteristics of marine debris other than organic biodegradable tend to have a high calorific value so that it is possible to be processed by thermal processes. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), (Polyethylene) PE, and mask waste can be decomposed at a temperature of 260-550°C. Organic waste has been managed by processing Black Soldier Fly (BSF), while plastic waste can be processed into handicraft products. In contrast, the remaining plastic waste and masks are processed by a thermal process to allow waste to energy.