Regulation of the use of plastic bags: how the law acts to control pollution and environmental damage in Bangka Belitung

Abstract This research aims to analyze the legal formulation for regulating the use of plastic bags to control pollution and environmental damage in Bangka Belitung. The method used is empirical juridical research. The research results show that the Bangka Belitung Islands Province is the 4th province in Indonesia, whose rivers are polluted by microplastic waste. Regional governments can take mitigation at the provincial and district/city levels of the Bangka Belitung Islands to control pollution and environmental damage due to plastic bags by increasing community participation in using non-plastic bags and involving producers or business people responsible for governance. Plastic waste by applying the principle of internalization to every use of plastic bags. Furthermore, through the Waste Management Law, Indonesia has normalized the Polluter Pay Principle for plastic producers, but the Waste Management Law has not been effective in the field. Meanwhile, for formulating regulations on the use of plastic bags in Bangka Belitung, it is best to use regional or regional regulations. Currently, there are only two districts that have special rules regarding the use of plastic bags.