Potential for Reducing, Reusing and Recycling Plastic Waste from Domestic Source

The increase in plastic waste generation may adversely impact human health and the environment, so, it is necessary to implement waste management initiatives through the implementation of the 3R principles: Reduce, reuse, and recycle. This research aims to analyse the potential 3R initiatives for plastic waste from households in Padang, Indonesia, specifically at coordinate’s 0.95556°S 100.36056°E. Data collection was carried out by measuring the generation and composition of plastic waste directly in the f ield, as well as identifying 3R initiatives practised in communities through a survey and interview. The generation of plastic waste from domestic sources was 40.43 g per capita per day. The waste composition was predominantly polypropylene (42.97%), with the most common usage was food packaging (42.61%). The current 3R initiatives for plastic waste at domestic sources were 25.48% and had the potential to increase to 59.56% of the total plastic waste. Recycling had the highest potential to reducing plastic waste through involvement of the informal sector and establishment of waste banks. Implementing 3R plastic waste initiatives can also reduce the amount of plastic waste dumped in landfills.