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Rising Plastic Prices Make Sustainable Living the New Way to Save

Today, the vast majority of consumers are actively weaving sustainable practices into their daily lives. This shift toward eco-conscious living has moved firmly into the mainstream, with individuals increasingly prioritizing long-term environmental health over short-term convenience. However, despite this green transition, plastic remains a staple of daily life due to its functional necessity. This reliance is being challenged by a recent spike in plastic prices, triggered by surging fuel costs resulting from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East¹.

Jakpat conducted a survey to explore sustainable living trends and the responses to the plastic price hike. The report is based on perspectives from 1373 participants. This report summarizes the perspectives of 1,373 respondents regarding the shifts in their consumption patterns.

Interestingly, although only 87% of respondents claimed to understand it theoretically, the reality is that nearly all participants (97%) are already practicing sustainable living, whether consciously or not. This enthusiasm is predicted to continue growing, considering that 4 out of 5 respondents expressed their commitment to implementing this lifestyle in the future.

Beyond the Trend: Sustainable Practices and Motivations

In practice, turning off lights and electronic devices when not in use is the most popular sustainable living action (68%). The awareness to minimize waste has also begun to take deep root; half of the respondents are accustomed to bringing their own dining utensils (water bottles, food containers, and cutlery) as well as their own shopping bags. Additionally, 1 out of 2 people choose to walk or bicycle when traveling short distances, and another 44% actively save clean water.

The motivations for implementing sustainable living vary. As many as 65% of respondents are driven to preserve the earth by reducing waste. Then, practical reasons such as reducing the accumulation of goods at home and the efficiency of monthly expenses also serve as main drivers, each with a percentage of 53%. Emotional motivation also appears, where 50% of respondents want to pass on a healthy environment to future generations, and 46% feel proud to be able to contribute directly to environmental cleanliness.

“We see that sustainable living has now become a habit across generations, no longer just a trend,” said Lead Researcher of Jakpat, Farida Hasna.

She continued that upon closer inspection, Gen Z emerges as the primary driver with a stronger understanding and motivation, especially from a personal standpoint, such as a sense of pride in contributing to the environment. “This shows that sustainable living practices are becoming increasingly relevant because they are driven not only by awareness, but also by individual values and satisfaction,” Hasna concluded.

However, this transition is not without challenges. For a small portion of respondents who have not or are not interested in practicing sustainable living, economic hurdles are the biggest obstacle (38%). Additionally, a lack of information on how to start and inadequate public facilities, such as the limited availability of sorted trash bins and access to public transportation, are two hindering factors felt by 30% of respondents.

Public Response to Rising Plastic Prices

The momentum of this sustainable lifestyle is growing even stronger alongside the rise in plastic prices since April 2026. Single-use plastic, particularly plastic bags, is no longer just waste, but a real financial burden for consumers. Jakpat’s findings show that 9 out of 10 plastic users feel the impact, especially regarding the increase in the price of plastic bags (61%). Other effects, such as paid plastic bag policies (53%) and the non-provision of plastic bags at shopping centers (42%), further reinforce the urgency for behavioral change.

These conditions have triggered a wave of intention to reduce plastic use through various independent strategies. The most preferred method is bringing one’s own shopping bag (71%), followed by the habit of bringing one’s own containers (57%) as well as personal dining utensils and water bottles (48%). The public is also starting to explore non-plastic alternatives, such as using cardboard boxes or leaves (40%), and taking cost-saving steps by reusing existing plastic (37%) to extend the material’s lifespan.

“Interestingly, pressure like price hikes actually accelerates the formation of new habits. When using plastic is no longer as easy as before, consumers begin to adapt, and from there, a more sustainable behavioral pattern slowly forms as part of everyday life,” explained Hasna.

1. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/ekonomi/20260330072937-92-1342397/harga-plastik-naik-hingga-rp6000-per-pak-zulhas-ungkap-penyebabnya ↩︎