Maurilla Imron gave up her career in Netherlands to share, inspire & give access to people for a more sustainable lifestyle, like waste prevention. Currently residing in Bali, the @zerowaste.id_official founder talks about misconceptions, alternative & advice on the burgeoning trash problems.
1) What’s Zero Waste ID?
Zero Waste ID is a home, a one-stop-solution platform for common people to get access to start or to do a zero waste lifestyle. We are a community, for information, education, as well as collaboration.
2) Do you sell products, if you do, tell us where the products come from?
We do sell product as a part of collaboration. We would like to be a platform to provide Eco-friendly products and to support local supplier who has stories behind (for example, working with waste materials, hire people in needs, etc)
3) What are some misconceptions about Zero Waste movement in Indonesia?
That Zero Waste stops in only stainless steel straw or whatsoever that is trendy at that moment. It is not! It’s a good place to start, sure, but learn more about what’s behind the movement. It takes a lot of energy to produce stainless steel straw, for example, so it can’t be taken for granted and we all should keep making progress.
Second misconceptions would be that Zero Waste lifestyle is expensive. Again, it is not! You do not have to buy what you don’t need. It’s about refuse, REUSE and reduce. Before, zero waste movement is such an unapproachable movement because it seems impossible. Now, people are willing to start taking action even when it’s small.
4) Tell us more about the #TukarBaju movement.
#TukarBaju is a movement to help create awareness & to educate about another form of waste from textile (your clothes!). It also teaches about alternatives, such as supporting slow fashion and think many times before buying new clothes.
5) Advice on how the government can reduce the burgeoning trash problems in the country?
There are a lot that they can do. But, of course, it is easier said than done. Government can synergize throughout different departments with their own environment/sustainability agenda. As I understand, there are a lot of goals, plans, and budgets within different department, but they are not synchronized.
They have to make regulations regarding distribution, plastic usage, and waste management, not only to citizens but also retailers/manufacturers. Perhaps the regulations already exist, but implementing is another story. They have to stick to the regulations they have made, such as applying sticker rewards & punishment for littering.