The public awareness of the impact of plastic waste
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61511/jmarpt.v3i1.2026.1998Keywords:
Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, plastic waste, public awareness, SDG 14Abstract
Background: Marine plastic pollution remains a serious environmental problem in Indonesia and continues to threaten marine ecosystems each year. Despite various government policies and programs aimed at reducing plastic waste, public awareness and environmentally responsible behavior remain limited. This condition poses a significant challenge to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 (Life Below Water). Methods: This study aims to examine public awareness of the impacts of plastic waste on marine ecosystems and to analyze the role of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) in promoting marine environmental protection. A qualitative research approach was employed using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a senior policymaker at KKP, complemented by document analysis. The collected data were analyzed thematically to identify key patterns related to awareness, policy implementation, and behavioral challenges. Findings: The findings indicate that while KKP has implemented various awareness initiatives—such as coastal clean-up programs, single-use plastic reduction campaigns, and regulatory strengthening—public awareness and behavioral change remain uneven. Many individuals understand the importance of marine conservation in principle but continue to engage in improper waste disposal practices. Major constraints include weak coordination between central and local governments, limited community participation, inadequate infrastructure, and deeply rooted cultural habits related to waste management. Conclusion: The study concludes that strengthening public awareness alone is insufficient without consistent community engagement, integrated environmental education, and effective policy coordination. Increased cross-sector collaboration, early environmental education, and continuous program evaluation are essential to improving the effectiveness of marine plastic pollution prevention efforts and supporting the achievement of SDG 14 in Indonesia. Novelty/Originality of this: The novelty of this study lies in its qualitative, governance-focused analysis of marine plastic pollution awareness in Indonesia, highlighting the gap between policy-driven awareness initiatives and actual public behavior from a national policymaking perspective.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Aurelia Paulus, Aliy Basitha, Dilba Nur Azizah Sampurna, Ferdy Anthonius, Markus Kurniawan
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