THE DANGER OF PLASTIC WASTE TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Om Swastyastu,

The honorable judges, ladies and gentlemen.

Before I start my speech, let me introduce my self. My name is Ni Wayan Riska Novita Yani from
Senior High School 2 Bangli. First of all, I would to invite you all to thank the almighty God Ida Sang
Hyang Widhi Wasa because of his blessing we are able to attend here. I would also like to say thanks
to the judges who has given me a chance to deliver my speech in front of you all. Here, I would like
to talk about ”The Danger of Plastic Waste in our Life.”

Ladies and gentlemen,

Plastic. What’s in your mind when I say that word? For years, about billions people on Earth have
been using plastic to make life easier. They use it almost everyday, everywhere, everytime. I’m sure
everyone who attends this speech competition use plastic too.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I think, we all think, plastic is more useful and cheaper so we prefer this than others. For instance,
we prefer using plastic bags to paper bags for grocery. But do you know? It’s difficult for plastic to
break down naturally. Some plastics require decades, but there are several types of plastic that take
thousands of years to decompose naturally.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Plastic waste become the most environmental problem, because plastic waste is very large in
number and is very often used in daily life. Ranging from plastic bags, plastic straws to plastic
household appliances. It should be noted that Indonesia is one of the largest contributors to plastic
waste in the world and most of this plastic waste has polluted our sea and threaten the lives of
marine biota.

In international, there is a program to overcome plastic waste called 4R, they are replace, reduce,
recycle, and reuse. Replace means reducing the use of plastic materials, so we can reduce waste.
Recycle means recycling plastic waste into more useful objects. Reuse means reusing objects which
are recycled in plastic waste or proper plastic products which are not disposable, for example,
instead of buying mineral water in plastic bottles, we use our own drinking water even they are both
made from plastic.

In Indonesia, especially in Bali. Our governor Mr. I Wayan Koster has released a governer regulation
to forbid plastic usage which is spreaded all over Bali and it really has a good impact for our
environment.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let’s come closer to Bangli. In Tembuku, Bangli there is a new tourist attraction called GGC Waterfall
Bali where the founder pioneered cleaning plastic waste in the area.

In Bangli, there is Penglipuran village which is the cleanest village in the world. But, how is in Kuta
Beach? Have you seen the environment in Kuta Beach now? It’s really sad to know that the most
popular beach in Bali is in danger of plastic waste. Don’t we know it can be dangerous for our
tourism sector? The sad truth is that we are not yet aware of the danger and allowing foreigner to
clean it even in front of our eyes. How can we be too ignorant for something so crucial like this?

All programs will not be any use, if there is no concern from each individualis to protect the
environment from plastic waste. Individual who care about their environment will create a good
generation and give inheritence to the next generation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The generation that cares about the environment doesn’t just appear, they emerge from the
education they get at school, in their families, and in society. As it is very important education,
parents, teachers and the community should provide enough knowledge about the importance of
maintaining the environment.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Maintaining the environment can be done by simple things such as removing garbage in it’s place,
sorting out organic waste, picking up small rubbish scattered on the ground or by reducing its use in
daily life.

Maintaining the environment is not only the responsibility of the government or just a few people
but also ours. Our environment is our shared responsibility in maintaining and caring for it. I think
that's all from me. Hopefully it will be useful for all of us. I do apologize if there are mistakes during I
deliver my speech. Thank you for your attention. And finally I close with paramasantih,

Om Santih Santih Santih Om.