Which is the larger issue in Indonesia: waste exports or imports? Interests in politics, economics, or the environment?

Abstract

The current situation in the worldwide society is paradoxical, as it is characterized by a scarcity in addressing the demand for food. Hence, the garbage predicament in Indonesia remains an environmental concern that necessitates resolution, in conjunction with the challenge of importing waste from industrialized nations to Indonesia. This practice came into existence. Habits of Indonesian individuals who continue to dispose of garbage negligently. This practice of mishandling waste will lead to the emergence of other issues. The issue of waste importation is further compounded by the unreliability of Indonesian waste sorting as a supply source. As one of the developing nations in Southeast Asia that receives waste imports, Indonesia experiences substantial consequences due to this phenomenon. Hence, this paper seeks to examine the issue of trash imports in Indonesia from a political-ecological standpoint, encompassing the social and economic dimensions and the environmental consequences. Furthermore, the article above, which examined the issue of trash imports in Indonesia, has also been conducted. Further investigation is required to explore political ecology, social and economic dimensions, and environmental ramifications. In addition, this article provides an overview of the relevant legislative requirements for the trash importation process in Indonesia. This paper employed the literature review approach to gather research material about waste imports and policies in Indonesia during the past five years. The research information was sourced from multiple studies utilizing the SLR 7P technique. The study findings indicate that trash imports in Indonesia can be understood as a manifestation of ecological politics, wherein the environmental issues are significantly shaped by political factors (namely ego-sectoral features) and economic components within them. The primary objective of the environmental interests outlined in the Basel Convention, which was subsequently translated into laws and regulations in Indonesia, has yet to safeguard environmental and human well-being from the adverse effects of imported trash. In addition, it is essential to comprehensively evaluate Indonesia's trash import policy to clarify its requirements. Furthermore, the issue of enforcing laws effectively in cases of infractions will also be addressed.