Malang, East Java, Aug. 18 -- Indonesia's Ministry of Environment is preparing to make plastic recycling mandatory as part of its efforts to resolve the nation's waste problem.

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said on Monday that the government is upgrading the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanism, which was previously voluntary, into a mandatory scheme for product manufacturers that use plastic packaging.

"We are strict about reusing and recycling. Last night, we met with the Minister of Industry to discuss our steps," he said.

He emphasized that manufacturers must take greater responsibility for the waste generated by their products, especially single-use plastics that are harmful and difficult to decompose. Even...