VIVAnews - Out of 1.1 tons of household waste production in South Jakarta, only one percent has been recycled to be used by the residents for the purpose of economic improvement.
The figure was announced by the Head of Community Participation Development Section of South Jakarta Sanitation Agency, Wahyudi Rudiyanto, as quoted from Jakarta Provincial government on Wednesday, November 25.
Therefore, Rudiyanto said, people’s participation in saving the environment by making use of the garbage is required.
According to him, most people have not been aware of turning organic waste into compost which could reduce the load of garbage transport in South Jakarta. Out of 136 garbage trucks available, only 100 are still effectively working.
“People could produce up to 1.1 tons of trashes per day and they're most likely coming from household waste. Because there are only 100 working trucks, only 88 percent are picked-up while the remaining 12 percent are delayed,” Rudiyanto said.
He also said South Jakarta actually has areas that could be looked up to when it comes to waste management. The areas include Rawajati Sub district, Pancoran and South Jakarta whose residents have been able to reduce the waste to 0 level.
The waste management does not only involve the locals, but also scavengers.
“After being recycled, the waste has high economic value. Even the scavengers are coordinated and given special uniforms,” he said.
Activist from Indonesian Waste Research Development Foundation (Perisai) Nurina said aside from the government’s commitment, waste management also requires community participation.
“The commitment of Jakarta provincial government has been really well. Now it depends on how the residents support what the government has done,” Nurina said.
She also said Bantar Gebang Final Dumping Site (TPA) built by the provincial government is the best in Indonesia because its sanitary landfill does not produce odors.
Law No. 18 / 2008 on Waste Management mentions there are three waste management patterns that could by applied by the people which starts from reduction, re-using and recycling.
“People could implement the patterns by turning the waste into compost and goods that have economic values,” Nurina said.
Ulujami Sub district Deputy Head, Fajar Santoso said waste recycling done by his people, especially in RW 01, could repress the volume of waste transport up to 20 percent.
Although the organic waste, which is turned into compost, is never sold, it is useful enough for catering people’s need of fertilizers.
“As for plastic waste, people usually make handicrafts out of it. But they are sold only during special events,” Santoso said.
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Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
