Plastic-Free Parade and Picnic Brings Energy and Advocacy to Yogyakarta

RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - The Plastic-Free Parade and Picnic Jogja 2026 filled Yogyakarta with a festive spirit on Sunday, September 13, 2026. The march began at the Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) building, continued along Jl. Malioboro and Jl. Margo Mulyo, and concluded at the city’s Ground Zero.

There, participants chanted in unison: “Reject Single Use, Embrace Reuse.” Banners, chants, and strong community solidarity set the tone for a day dedicated to environmental advocacy. At Ground Zero, the crowd proclaimed the Plastic-Free Yogyakarta Declaration.

The declaration urged stronger waste governance focused on prevention and reduction, enforcement of local regulations on plastic use across retail, food services, and tourism, and prioritization of organic waste management to ease landfill burdens.

It also called for careful review of waste-to-energy projects with environmental and financial considerations, and accountability for producers under the national waste reduction roadmap.

The event was a collaboration of 23 communities, including Greenpeace Indonesia, Trash Hero Yogyakarta, the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) Yogyakarta, Climate Rangers Jogja, the Indonesian Green Youth Coalition (KOPHI), and the Indonesian Climate Circle Alliance (ALII), among others.

Representing ALII, Abiyyi Yahya Hakim explained the broader purpose of the movement by stressing the urgency of changing both production and regulation.

“This parade reflects our rejection of single-use plastics. We want to emphasize that the problem lies not only in consumption but also in production. Most plastics are designed for single use, and that is what we are pressing to change," he said, Sunday.

“Producers must redesign packaging to be reusable, and local administrations must strengthen regulations. Through #GerakanGunaUlangJogja (Yogyakarta Reuse Movement), we will keep pushing businesses, government, and citizens to adopt reuse systems and reduce single-use plastics," he continued.

Local residents also offered their reflections on daily practices. Dhani and Ari from Kauman, Yogyakarta, described how her personal choice to carry a tumbler has become part of their routine and a way to reduce waste.

“We’ve long used tumblers instead of plastic bottles because it saves money and reduces waste. It has become a habit for me, and I feel more comfortable knowing I am not contributing to unnecessary plastic waste," she shared.

One interesting aspect was how everyday habits became part of the conversation. Carrying a tumbler is widely seen as a positive step toward reducing plastic waste, and many young people in Yogyakarta have embraced it.

Yet, there is also a social trend where tumblers are treated as lifestyle accessories, sometimes more about image than awareness. “Many young people now carry tumblers, which has become a lifestyle trend," she shared.

"It is good to see, but sometimes it feels more about showing off than genuine awareness. Still, the fact that it is spreading is a positive sign," she added.

This shows how environmental practices can evolve into cultural symbols -- good for spreading awareness, but also a reminder that the deeper purpose of reducing waste should not be overshadowed by style.

Dhani also reflected on the broader challenges of waste management in the city. “Waste management in Yogyakarta still needs stronger solutions and more consistent public outreach," she said, noting that the system was not yet fully effective, and many neighborhoods still struggle with proper disposal.

"While tumbler use is spreading, broader community education remains essential. People need to understand not only the importance of reuse but also how waste governance affects the environment and the future of the city," she concluded.

After the declaration, participants gathered at Bbenteng Vredeburg Museum for the picnic. The program included eight workshops, talk shows on waste governance and organic solutions, community showcases, and food-and-beverage tenants practicing reuse schemes to minimize event waste.

Nationally, the Plastic-Free Parade movement began in Jakarta in 2019 and has reached its eighth year. Since 2024, the concept of a Plastic-Free Picnic has been added. In Yogyakarta, last year featured only the picnic, while this year combined both parade and picnic for the first time.

Organizers emphasized that the campaign would continue through the newly launched #GerakanGunaUlangJogja, aiming to sustain advocacy and push for stronger local regulations while encouraging businesses and citizens to adopt reuse systems.

The day’s events highlighted not only the urgency of tackling plastic waste but also the broader environmental and policy challenges facing Yogyakarta, where tourism thrives yet waste management remains a pressing concern. ***