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Milenial Bermunculan Jadi Social Entrepreneur Kelola Sampah

ramadani.wahyu — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 05:50:17 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Tumbuh suburnya para pelaku usaha sosial atau social entrepreneur di masyarakat urban menjadi tren tersendiri dalam pengelolaan sampah di Tanah Air. Data KLHK menyebut, ada 209 para pelaku usaha sosial aktif dalam pengelolaan sampah.

Sebelumnya, pengelolaan sampah hanya mengandalkan cara-cara konvensional seperti pemanfaatan bank sampah hingga melalui TPS3R (reduce, reuse, dan recycle).

Namun saat ini, inovasi dari para pelaku usaha sosial membuka ekosistem pengelolaan sampah lebih luas. Misalnya, melalui berbagai usaha seperti toko curah, bisnis refill, bisnis reuse, hingga waste collection and recycle.

Kasubdit Barang dan Kemasan Direktorat Pengurangan Sampah KLHK Ujang Solihin Sidik menyatakan, para pelaku social entrepreneur merupakan bagian dari ekosistem circular economy yang kini tengah dikembangkan.

“Perannya bergantung pola model bisnis yang mereka jalankan. Ada yang refill atau reuse, daur ulang, hingga inovasi kemasan atau mesin,” katanya kepada Greeners, baru-baru ini.

Dirjen PSLB3 KLHK Rosa Vivien Ratnawati juga menyebut, dalam beberapa tahun terakhir, telah banyak bermunculan pelaku usaha yang terjun di sektor sampah. “Usaha bisnisnya pun tidak hanya berorientasi pada profit semata. Namun juga menekankan faktor lingkungan dan pelibatan masyarakat,” ucap Vivien baru-baru ini.

Kontribusi Generasi Milenial Sebagai Social Entrepreneur

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) mendefinisikan social entrepreneurship merupakan bisnis inklusif yang melibatkan masyarakat miskin dalam rantai nilai sebuah perusahaan, baik itu pelanggan, penyedia, pengusaha atau karyawan. Terciptanya bisnis ini menekankan partisipasi masyarakat dalam mewujudkan dampak sosial.

Studi Siti Widharetno Mursalim yang diterbitkan di Atlantis Press 2019 menyebut banyak pelaku social entrepreneur yang muncul dan dari orang-orang muda lahir pada tahun 1990-an hingga 1997-an atau generasi milenial.

Padahal generasi milenial dianggap sebagai generasi yang sibuk dengan gadget dan teknologi. “Tapi mereka memiliki komitmen yang kuat untuk memecahkan masalah sosial permasalahan di Indonesia. Melalui kemampuan teknologi tinggi, mereka bisa memanfaatkannya untuk organisasi sosial mereka,” kata Siti dalam studinya.

Rosa Vivien juga menilai, anak-anak muda mempunyai cara tersendiri dalam memecahkan persoalan dalam pengelolaan sampah.

“Ini gaya mereka, kita tidak bisa maksa mereka (untuk mengikuti cara konvensional). Dengan kehadiran social entrepreneur ini bisa mendorong para generasi muda bisa berperan mengelola sampah untuk memberikan kesejahteraan dalam masyarakat,” tuturnya.

Salah satu brand social enterpreneur yang juga bergerak di bidang kelolaan sampah. Foto: Greeners/Ramadani Wahyu

Solusi Baru Penanganan Sampah

Brand Marketing Eco Touch Agnes Kiki menyatakan, Eco Touch berdiri karena keresahan terhadap sampah tekstil. Ia menyebut, sampah tekstil berkontribusi sebesar dua hingga tiga juta ton terbuang ke landfill.

“Namun bagaimana dengan pakaian berbahan sintetis tidak terurai. Karena permasalahan ini dan belum ada yang menangani akhirnya kita bentuk Eco Touch,” katanya.

Eco Touch merupakan perusahaan daur ulang sampah tekstil menjadi produksi insulation felt dan jaket denim hingga produk tas yang berlokasi di Bandung.

Seperti halnya sampah, sampah tekstil perlu dipilah terlebih dahulu bahan-bahan di dalamnya, termasuk kancing, label, hingga komposisi bahannya. Ini menjadi tantangan tersendiri Eco Touch.

“Tadinya hanya akan memproduksi. Tapi ternyata karena tak ada yang mampu post waste maka jadi waste management. Semuanya kita urus sendiri, termasuk pengumpulan, pengolahan hingga distribusinya,” ungkapnya.

Ia menyebut, tantangan ke depan yakni semakin meningkatnya produksi tekstil di Indonesia diikuti dengan penggunaan bahan sintetis seperti polyster. “Ini memicu banyaknya limbah tekstil sehingga berdampak pada polusi, perubahan iklim dan keanekaragaman hayati,” imbuhnya.

Social entrepreneur Ide Inovasi Bukan Solusi Masif

Menanggapi hal ini, Pengamat sosial dari Universitas Indonesia Risallwan Lubis menyatakan tren social entrepreneur dalam pengelolaan sampah merupakan ide inovatif. Namun bukan solusi masif yang bisa menyelesaikan akan permasalahan sampah dari perkotaan hingga pelosok desa.

“Tapi inovasi ini tetap perlu diapresiasi sebagai bentuk kontribusi upaya pengelolaan sampah. Terutama dalam masyarakat urban,” ujar dia.

Ia yakin akan semakin banyak inovasi-inovasi dari para pelaku usaha ini yang didominasi anak muda di masa mendatang.

Selain memanfaatkan teknologi sehingga berpotensi menyelesaikan persoalan sampah secara praktis, generasi muda juga lebih fleksibel. “Ini sejalan dengan gaya hidup kita yang inginnya sampah kita kelola lebih kekinian,” kata dia.

Risallwan mengingatkan tantangan dari para pelaku usaha sosial ini yakni kehadiran “mafia sampah” yang pada dasarnya tak menyelesaikan persoalan sampah. Tapi hanya memindahkan sampah yang tidak memahami konsep dan praktik reduce, reuse, recycle, recovery dan repair (5R).

Senada dengannya, Pengamat persampahan dari Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) Enri Damanhuri berpendapat, pengelolaan sampah membutuhkan peran teknologi seperti dalam social entrepreneur ini.

“Sampah tidak boleh mengendap lama. Kita tidak bisa hanya menggunakan pendekatan skala masyarakat yang konvensional saja,” tandasnya.

Dengan pendanaan US$ 5 juta, Waste4Change targetkan kelola sampah 100 ton per hari. Foto: Waste4Change

Peluang Pasar Tinggi

Founder dan CEO Waste4Change Mohamad Bijaksana Junerosano menyatakan, peluang pasar pemanfaatan teknologi dalam pengelolaan sampah sangat tinggi. Termasuk pasar Waste4Change.

Berdasarkan riset Kemenkomarves dan Bappenas untuk mengatasi permasalahan sampah di Indonesia dalam bidang teknologi butuh sebesar US$ 18 billion atau Rp 270 triliun per tahun.

Sedangkan biaya operasional pengelolaan sampah yakni US$ 2,2 billion atau Rp 33 triliun per tahun. “Ini pasar yang sangat besar, tinggal bagaimana ekosistemnya, termasuk regulasi dan peran swasta di dalamnya,” kata dia.

Penulis: Ramadani Wahyu

Editor : Ari Rikin

Activists Demand the US To Stop Dumping Illegal Waste To Indonesia

Redaksi — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 10:26:18 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Indonesia’s activists staged a protest following the finding that the US dumped its domestic waste illegally to Indonesia since 2014. On June 14, Indonesian government re-export five containers of illegal waste belong to PT Adiprima Suraprinta to its origin state, the US. They deliberately mixed waste into papers imported for companies in Indonesia.

Head of Tanjung Perak harbor of Surabaya, states on Tuesday (9/07/2019), there were 38 containers from the US under inspection. Piled of waste consisted of baby diapers, food packaging, sachets, oil bottles, used clothes, e-waste, and other waste lead to environment problems in Mojokerto, Gresik, Sidoarjo and Surabaya.

Ecoton demanded for the US to get their wastes back from Indonesia and apologise for polluting the country.

“We want them to apologise to Indonesia, especially East Java people. How come a country that sent its own people to the moon could throw garbage to other countries. There’s a theory of don’t litter, that should be understood as a developed country,” said executive director of Ecoton, Prigi Arisandi, during the protest in front of the US Embassy in Jakarta on Friday (19/07/2019).

Based on Statistic Agency in 2019, the US is the largest importer of paper waste to Indonesia, especially East Java. There is a suspicion that the US sent waste papers contaminated with domestic wastes for a total of 25,000 tons per year and reached 150,000 tons per year in 2018.

Sumber : Ecoton (BPS 2019)

In East Java, there are 12 paper companies using paper waste materials from other countries. There are 43 exporters of paper waste, the top ten to East Java are the US, Italy, UK, Korea, Australia, Singapore, Greece, Spain, Netherland, and New Zealand.

“BRACSIP investigation shows that waste paper imports have been contaminated by domestic wastes, especially plastic wastes, with a percentage reaching to 30 percent,” said Arisandi.

The protest also included a letter from a high school student of East Java, Tara, for President Donald Trump, which she wrote that the US wastes have been polluting East Java.

“So, I wrote letter to President Donald Trump. The US is a developed country but sending their domestic waste to Indonesia and the amount is 150,000 tons per year. In the letter, I told them that the waste that they sent brought damages to Indonesia, and it polluting environment, water, air, and soil in Indonesia,” said the 16-year old student.

Furthermore, she said that Indonesia does not need wastes from the US for its damages to people, water, soil and environment in Indonesia. “My wish is that the US to stop import its waste to Indonesia and take responsibility on the damages,” she said.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Indonesia Continues Re-Export Illegal Waste To Developed Countries

Redaksi — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 08:29:43 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Ministry of Environment and Forestry and Customs continue to re-export illegal plastic waste contaminated with toxic waste and domestic wastes to the US, France, Australia, and Hongkong.

After checking on 65 containers at Tanjung Perak Harbor, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry recommends the Customs to return 49 containers which are contaminated with toxic wastes and domestic wastes, such as diapers, oils, and used electronics.

Director general of waste and toxic and hazardous management, Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, said that Indonesia is ready to return 49 containers, — 38 containers contaminated with toxic waste will be returned to France, Hongkong, the US, and Australia, meanwhile 11 containers coming from the US and Australia.

“Their permits are for plastic waste but contaminated with toxic waste and domestic waste. The contamination is around 10%. So, from 49, only 16 containers are clean, meaning they don’t get mixed with toxic waste and domestic waste,” said Ratnawati to Greeners on Friday in Jakarta.

Furthermore, she said that after checking and recommendation from the ministry, the returning process will be handled by the Customs.

“The Customs will re-export if there’s a recommendation from the ministry. It means we have recommended to be processed by the Customs,” she said.

Meanwhile. head unit of communication and publication of the Customs, Deni Surjantoro, said that based on ministry of trade regulation issued in 2011, re-export process must be done at the latest 90 days after the containers come to Indonesia.

“The 65 containers came at the same time on 10 June 2019, so it’s almost a month and we’re still processing for re-export. Out of 65 containers, only 16 are clean, they’re coming from Japan, Netherland, France and Germany,” said Surjantoro on Monday (08/07/2019).

He added that the re-exports are waiting for administration process and documentations.

“Currently, the process is at Batam Customs. It actually waiting to be shipped but still waiting for adminsitration,” he said adding there are 66 containers waiting for re-exports at Tanjung Perak Harbour. Eight of them came from Australia, 20 containers from Germany, and 38 containers from the US are still in checking.

“Actually, for the 20 containers and 8 containers have the same status as in Batam’s, waiting to be re-exported,” he said.

Report by Dewi Purningsih

Indonesia Returns Contaminated Paper Waste to the US

Redaksi — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 01:15:38 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Ministry of Environment and Forestry and Customs on June 14 have witnessed re-export of five containers of waste belong to PT. Adiprima Suraprinta to its origin country, the US.

Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, Director General of Waste Management, Toxic and Hazardous Waste, said based on the import notification letter and permit obtained from Ministry of Trade, the company imports papers.

The permit, Ratnawati said, only allows paper scraps in clean condition, not contaminated with toxic and hazardous waste and not mixed with other wastes.

“Loading the containers to the ships for re-export have begun since Thursday, 13 June 2019, and on 14 June 2019, all containers should be aboard Zim Dalian ship heading to the US. The initial identification was from the customs, which directed the containers to the harbour, and entered red line, meaning they would need to be investigated,” she said in a press release on Sunday (16/06/2017).

Furthermore, she said that in the investigation, they found impurities or other wastes, such as shoes, woods, pampers, clothes, used food and beverage packaging, and plastic faucets in large quantities.

Prigi Arisandi, Executive Director of Ecoton, said the smuggling has been going on for the last ten years and Ecoton had reported it to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry since February.

However, the Ministry only responded after the Philippines and Malaysia took firm actions on the smuggling.

“There are still piles of imported waste in several areas such as Karawang, Bekasi, Bogor, Gresik, Malang, Mojokerto, and Sidoarjo, which have been used as dumping sites for imported wastes for many years and involving waste exporters’ responsibility. Law enforcement needs to look into this. I agree that papers import needs to go to red line to be inspected by customs,” said Arisandi to Greeners.Co on Monday (17/06/2019).

Furthermore, he said the re-export needs to be followed up by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of Trade, and Indonesian Pulp and Paper Association, to protest to exporters and encourage origin government to certify waste paper exporters.

“Hence, there will be a list of good and certified exporters because of the sorting system and commitment for waste paper exported to Indonesia has less than one to two percent of contamination or prohibited materials,” he said.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Ministry of Environment and Forestry Sealed More Illegal Landfills

Redaksi — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 02:47:11 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Ministry of Environment and Forestry have sealed illegal landfills in several areas for the last two months. On May, the ministry’s law enforcement team had sealed illegal landfills in East Sudimara, Ciledug, Tangerang, and Banten. Previously, they closed down illegal landfills in four locations in Bogor district.

Sugeng Priyanto, director of monitoring and administrative sanction implementation at the ministry, said they sealed illegal landfill in East Sudimara as it’s violating regional spatial planning. The seal, Priyanto said, shows law enforcement based on the 2008 Law on Waste Management.

“First, the seal is done to respond public complaints for illegal landfill and waste burning in the location near their housing areas. Second, this illegal landfill has no permit from local government and violated existing spatial planning. Third, there is no amdal, environmental permit and it does not practice proper waste management,” he said to Greeners via phone.

Furthermore, he said the seal refers to the 2008 Law on Waste management which bans local government for illegal dumping and stipulates proper landfills. In addition, technically, the illegal landfill violated spatial planning and its location near housing areas which would bring negative impacts, including water pollution, bacteria to health problems if waste water absorbed by soil. In addition, air pollution would occur from burning waste.

He said that it’s time for law enforcement as many regions violated the regulation by illegal landfill. The seal, he added, is needed to create deterrent effect.

“This [illegal landfill] has been going too long and waste issues are becoming serious problem. Law enforcement on illegal waste dumping is the ministry’s priority. In addition to consultation, there should be law enforcement,” he said.

“Regional governments have conducted consultations, but the problem is how long they need to be consulted if the same incident keeps on going, that’s why we need law enforcement. If law being enforced, Insha Allah people will care about their environment.” said Priyanto.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Ministry of Environment and Forestry Sealed Four Illegal Landfills in Bogor District

Administrator — Mon, 27 May 2019 12:46:24 +0000

Bogor (Greeners) – Ministry of Environment and Forestry’s investigators sealed illegal landfills which have been operating at least 30 years in Bogor district of West Java, said an official on Saturday (25/05/2019).

Muhammad Nur, head of law enforcement at the ministry for Java, Bali and Nusra regions, said that four locations being sealed have no permits and have been operating for long time.

Investigators are still investigating three managers, — US, HN and AS — and summoning two more people as they were not present in locations during the closing.

“Currently, there are people being investigated for illegal waste piling, after the investigation there’ll be further development. Illegal landfill in Bogor has been going on for 15-30 years in four locations, said Nur to Greeners via short message.

Furthermore, he said that the seal was a follow up on reports from people disturbed by the illegal landfills, which are violating the 2008 Law on Waste Management and the 2009 Law on Environmental Protection and Management.

Based on facts found by the team, the landfills have no permits and do not follow best practices of sustainability, and resulted to negative impacts on people’s health and environment.

Novrizal Tahar, director of waste management at ministry of environment and forestry, said that the cause of waste issues in Indonesia is low capacity of regional administration, lack of public awareness, rising plastic waste volume, and not mandatory for producers, and law enforcement.

“The seal by law enforcement is a positive thing and must be supported. It is time to push law enforcement on waste issues. Law enforcement is the last resort as it is expected for deterrent effects to all violators, either from local government or other parties in illegal dumping on waste management,” said Tahar.

Furthermore, he said that best waste management only being implemented for 32 percent, remaining 68 percent is not sustainable. Meanwhile, there is still 60 percent of landfills operating is open dumping.

If convicted by the court, the perpetrators in Bogor will face at least four to maximum ten years in prison and at least Rp100 millions (US$6,951) to Rp5 billion (US$347,552) of fine under the 2008 Law on Waste Management.

In addition, three years and maximum of ten years in prison and fines between Rp3 billion (US$208,546) and Rp10 billion (US$695,228) under the 2009 Law on Environmental Protection and Management.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Recent Riots in Jakarta Produced 110 Tons of Waste

Administrator — Sun, 26 May 2019 13:17:44 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Recent demonstration over election results on May 22 which led to mass riots in Jakarta had resulted to public facilities damages and a total of 110 tons of waste in MH Thamrin road and its surrounding areas.

Marsigit, head of Central Jakarta Environmental agency, said that officials cleaned up at least 37 tons of waste on May 21 and 73 tons of waste on May 22.

“In general, the total waste collected during the riots on May 22 was 110 tons of plastic waste, Styrofoam, paper, woods, rocks to burned waste. Hence, we dispatched at least 300 sanitary workers, ten trucks, 12 street sweepers, and ten vehicles,” said Marsigit to Greeners via short message on Friday (24/05/2019).

DKI Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan, also cleaned up tear gasses residues in Thamrin road.

“After sahur, all teams in DKI administration started to work to ensure Thamrin clean again because of massive waste. So, this noon until afternoon, we are cleaning to make Thamrin back to its original state,” said Governor Anies. “In addition, there are facilities need to be fixed, such as lamps and traffic lights, including police posts, that we need to fix and we’re still checking on other facilities.”

Furthermore, he said that people working in Thamrin areas, such as stores and shopping mall, are open as usual.

“People can back to their regular activities in Thamrin, Slipi and Petamburan. All can go back to their normal activities so that economy can run again,” he said adding that his office will enforce on people provoking the riots.

He asked for citizens of Jakarta to be critical on digesting information that is circulating.

“Don’t spread information which is not confirmed as it will not make situation to be conducive. If you cause riot then you’ll face us all, we don’t tolerate. Jakarta is ready to prevent and be strict to all rioters here,” he said.

On May 22, dozens of trash bin owned by DKI Jakarta environmental agency were burned down.

Djoko Rianto, head of Public Engagement at the agency, said that to substitute burned trash bins, they need to apply for new procurement.

“At least 43 trash bins belong to us in Pluit Kompleks Polri, Tanah Abang, Sudirman, and Thamrin all burned down. Mass used them as burning bins. To replace this, we need to apply for new procurement for waste facilities in Jakarta,” said Rianto.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Basel Convention Amendment Pushes Strict Global Plastic Waste Trade

Redaksi — Fri, 17 May 2019 12:28:39 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – At least 187 nations took one massive step to control plastic trade crisis by including plastic in Basel Convention, a treaty which controls waste and hazardous waste movement from one country to other country, especially developed country to developing country.

On May 10, United Nations for Environment or UNEP in Geneva, Switzerland, agreed on the amendment of Basel Convention to request plastic waste exporter to have consents from recipient countries. The amendment is an important tool to stop unwanted plastic waste disposal from developed countries to developing countries.

“This year’s Basel Convention is encouraging countries which export plastic waste to send letters beforehand on what type of plastic so that the recipients will be able to look at the quota and its ability to recycle plastic waste. If they’re approve and agree then they can shipped them, if not then the recipients have the right to reject. So, it is basically right to know, not just sent them over,” said executive director of Ecoton, Prigi Arisandi, in Jakarta on Thursday (16/05/2019). “Second, plastics that are sent must be clean because all of this time developed countries only want to sent but not sort them out. Those two keys must be known.”

Arisandi said that plastic waste disposal issue has yet to be regulated specifically in Indonesia. In the customs, director general of customs only applies green line and red line to check on the products entering the country.

“In our customs, the products and ingredients must be checked not just scanned through two categories, green line and red line. But, because we need those import products, they are included in the green line, meanwhile they’re bad quality, there are various contamination, such as hazardous materials, drugs substances, and other. Hence the smuggling because the entrance permit only based on those two categories,” he said.

Furthermore, he said that Basel Convention can reduce pollution in lands and oceans in Indonesia.

“We can monitor plastic waste trade and encourage government to manage and control plastic waste to be imported accordingly. We encourage for countries exporting plastic waste to comply with their regulation to manage waste in their country and not dump them in southern countries and Indonesian government to strengthen plastic waste entrance,” he said.

Despite of the amendment receive supports, there are countries oppose plastic waste in the Annex II of Basel Convention, such as US, the largest plastic waste exporter in the world.

American Chemistry Council, lobbyists from petrochemical industry in the US, and Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, an association for waste business brokers.

“Just a reminder that this convention is not sanction, especially if US refuses Basel Convention, then the consequence is that US will not be allowed to do plastic waste trade with developing countries which are parties of Basel Convention, but not members of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. So, there will be loopholes, that is why don’t be weak and brave enough to reject. No more plastic waste smuggling,” he said.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Amid Lawsuits, Regional Administrations Push on Policy to Reduce Plastic Waste

Redaksi — Wed, 01 May 2019 12:38:45 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Responding to lawsuits from plastic and recycling plastic industries, Bogor and DKI Jakarta administrations will continue to process and implement policies to reduce single-use plastic volume as stipulates by Waste Management Law.

Currently, Bogor city administration is facing a lawsuit filed by the Indonesia Olefin, Aromatic, and Plastic Industry Association, or Inaplas, for its 2018 Mayor Regulation on Plastic Bag Use Ban.

Elia Buntang, head of Bogor Environmental Agency, said that Bogor administration is not afraid of the lawsuit.

Buntang adds that public and modern retailer business are approved of the regulation.

“Though we have not received the lawsuit letter, but the rumors from Supreme Court that [we] have received the letters. However, we already anticipate the lawsuit while meeting with Ministry of Environment and Forestry, represented by Ibu Vivien, director general of waste management and toxic and hazardous waste, some time ago. We are ready to face this together because this is not just Bogor city’s responsibility,” said Buntang in Jakarta on Monday (29/04/2019).

Bogor city administration has implemented the regulation since 1 December 2018 and capable to reduce single plastic use bags up to 41 tons per months, he added.

Furthermore, he denies that the regulation harms modern retailer as they were involved in the process and the administration also set up call center to accommodate protests from public.

However, he said that he had not heard any complaints filed about the regulation.

“In addition, there is no human rights violation. Five months after the regulation took effect, there was not a single protest from public, even we found people started to carry their own shopping bags in traditional markets. I need to underline that Bogor city does not harm anyone for this regulation,” he said.

Meanwhile, DKI Jakarta administration, represented by Rahmawati, head of Waste Management of Environmental Agency, said that the government will not step back to continue the process of governor regulation on plastic bag limitation.

The governor regulation will refer to the 2013 Government Regional which stipulates modern markets and traditional markets to use environmentally friendly plastic bags or recyclable made from fabric for reuse.

“Currently, the governor regulation is on the final phase and waiting for governor’s signature. The regulation will not just talk about the obligations of retailers to use environmentally friendly plastic bags, but also education to change public to green lifestyle. The plan will be supported by traditional markets and directors of PD Pasar Jaya,” said Rahmawati.

Furthermore, she said that the government is made because waste produced by DKI Jakarta keeps on increasing every year.

In 2017-18, waste in DKI Jakarta reached to 6,800 per tons per day, however, it already amounts to 7,400 tons per day.

In addition, Bantar Gebang landfill will no longer able to contain waste by 2021 as it’s already reaching 40 meters high.

Tiza Mafira, executive director of Indonesia Plastic Bag Diet Movement, said that they will support regional governments to tackle and find solution for waste issues.

Mafira said that the movement assists several regions to compose the plastic bag limitations and not backing down from possible lawsuits.

“So far, they [local government] states that they are not afraid because the willingness to solve this waste issue is high. So, if there are disruptions, the questions should go to the disturbers, not the solution of this regulation being questioned. This is really difficult for the logic. They filed lawsuit because of losing money? This kind of reason needs to be questioned meanwhile we want to solve the problem,” she said.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Law Experts: Regional Administration Authorized by the Law to Issue Single-Use Plastic Ban Policy

Redaksi — Wed, 01 May 2019 12:11:55 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Amid lawsuit files by Indonesia Plastic Recycling Association, or ADUPI, to Supreme Court to challenge single-use plastic ban arguing the policy against Law on Waste Management, law experts call it as baseless legal action.

Experts state that regional administration has the authority to issue single-use plastic ban policy within specific requirements and limitation.

ADUPI files the lawsuit against Bali Governor for issuing governor regulation on reducing single-use plastic waste volume in 2018.

The Association argued that the governor regulation is conflicted with the 1999 Law on Human Rights, the 2008 Law on Waste Management, the 2011 Law on Establishment of Legislation Regulation and the 2014 on Government Administration.

Muhamad Ramdan Andri Gunawan Wibisana, lecturer at Law Faculty of University of Indonesia, said that ADUPI challenges four laws implementation and regional government’s authority to issue policies.

“I would say that regional has its own authority in issuing this single-use plastic ban policy. The authority in the 2018 Law on Waste Management is given to regions to follow up waste reduction and give authority to the governor to regulate waste volume reduction, because the ban is part of [waste] reduction,” said Wibisana in Jakarta on Monday (29/04/2019).

Furthermore, he said that further explanation on waste management already included in the 2012 Government Regulation on Household Waste and Waste Similar to Household Waste Management. On Clause 11, the regulation states that waste reduction includes waste volume limitation.

In addition, the regulation also cites implementation of waste volume limitation such as the use of recyclable and bio-degradable packaging, to limit the use of plastic bags, and/or avoid single use products and/or packaging consumption.

Usman Hamid, director of Amnesty International Indonesia, said that single-use plastic ban policy does not violate human rights for waste collectors and recycles to have better livelihood.

“ADUPI considers the policy to human rights violation, I think that makes sense because they hire a lot of people. However, if you look further, this policy has nothing to do with human rights violation. Ban and limit single use plastic is to ensure human rights, especially rights for good and healthy environment. It’s also human rights to ensure the integrity of workers’ psychological and physical conditions,” Hamid said adding the latter is guaranteed by the law issued in 2003 on Labor, International Labor Office, and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

“So, if recycling industry questions this policy, it looks like [they] only counts from money revenue or financial from the industry, companies do not see it from workers’ welfare,” he said.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Approaching Ramadhan Month, Government Gears “NO WASTE EXODUS” Campaign

Redaksi — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 11:39:35 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Approaching Ramadhan Month for Muslims which usually followed by the tradition of mass exodus or locally known as mudik, Indonesian government encourage public not to litter during travels.

Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, said that they will discuss to relevant stakeholders to implement No Waste Exodus by providing trash bins in areas frequent by travelers.

“So, cross-sector from land, sea, and air [transportation] will be encourage to pay attention to this waste issue, especially plastic waste. At piers and boats, we will provide trash bins, so no one trashing the seas. There are people ignoring this and consider oceans as waste dumping,” said Minister Budi in Jakarta on Sunday (28/04/2019).

Furthermore, he said that No Waste Exodus is a call for public not to trash and bring their own tumbler or reusable cutlery to reduce waste during traveling.

“No Waste Exodus will be coordinated by Pak Luhut [Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs,which probably starts next week. However, basically, we have coordinated with all related parties. Lets care about this plastic waste issue, as it is time we concern about the environment,” he said. “For example, on the boats, there should be bins for waste, for collect or sorting. Those would probably be available for ports to have that types of trash bins next week.”

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Issue, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said that No Waste Exodus just starts this year, however, it was already being implemented by Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

“No Waste Exodus previously implemented by Ministry of Environment and Forestry had been followed by all elements and done nationally,” said Minister Luhut.

Novrizal Tahar, director of waste management at Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said that No Waste Exodus is positive culture to ensure traveling back home to be more convenient and comfortable.

“Minister of Transportation already stated that exodus should not produce waste. We need to built this positive culture. Traveling back home is something good and we need to add more culture by not produce waste in the roads. We will maximize [efforts], from now on, we will campaign and coordinate with Ministry of Transportation, Jasa Marga, and other sectors for this No Waste Exodus,” said Tahar.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

ADUPI Files Lawsuit against Bali Government for its Plastic Waste Ban Policy

Redaksi — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 11:58:07 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Indonesia Plastic Recycling Association, or ADUPI, files a lawsuit against Bali provincial administration on its plastic waste policy.

The lawsuit is filed because the Association is concerned about plastics supply for recycling will be reduced and provincial government is considered inconsistent in implementing the 2008 Law on Waste Management.

Made Tedja, Bali Environmental Agency Head, confirmed the lawsuit to Greeners.

“The lawsuit is true and currently being handled by our team of law bureau. To avoid misunderstanding, we cannot give any comments before there is legal clarity from our legal team,” said Tedja via short message on Thursday (25/04/2019).

Until this article is published, the Association has refused to confirm about the lawsuit.

Novrizal Tahar, director of waste management at Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said that the Association should be too concerned about losing materials for plastic recycling because the government has considered the balance in its policy.

Based on the 2008 Law, waste management, in principle, is classified into waste reduction and waste management. Waste reduction comprises of limiting waste, reuse and recycle.

Several regions have applied single-use plastic waste ban, including Bali, Banjarmasin and Balikpapan. These areas are no longer provide single-use plastic bags in modern retailers. Banjarmasin extends its policy to traditional markets.

Tahar said the law on waste management, philosophically, determines the highest hierarchy in waste management is to prevent or limit waste volume.

“Furthermore, the policy is stated on Clause 11, Government Regulation 81/2012 on Household Waste and Waste Similar to Household Waste Management which declares “waste limitation includes limiting waste volume. So, it’s legit that regional government set up the policy for limiting plastic waste. If friends in ADUPI files the lawsuit based on the 2008 Law, there’s a derivative regulation in the government regulation,” he said.

Furthermore, he said that the association should not be too concerned of losing plastic recycling materials because the government implements circular economy. In addition, the government will not issue single policy.

“Now, if only rely on recycling, it’s still low meanwhile our waste issue is massive. The government does not issue single policy, we also encourage circular economy, and encourage for technology. I think with all the things we have already done, there’s a balance point. For this matter, the ministry is ready to assist,” he said.

Tiza Mafira, executive director of Indonesia Plastic Bag Diet and founder of plastic bag policy, said that the Association lawsuit is baseless.

Mafira said that regional government only bans several single-use plastics and already researched to determine which types of plastic difficult for recycling in their own areas.

“What is actually the reason of ADUPI? About the worry on running out recycling materials, as far as I know ADUPI recycles plastic bottles. There is never any discussion to ban plastic bottles because plastic bottles are the best selling plastic in recycle and the rate is quite high, up to 60 percent. The one is being banned is single-use plastic because it is hard for recycling and low value, so no waste banks would want to receive. So, why ADUPI feels being in disadvantage, I don’t understand,” she said.

Furthermore, she said that plastic types being limited or banned by regional government are single-use, plastic straws, and styrofoam. She said that GIDKP is not backing down for assisting areas which are currently and will implement policy of plastic waste limitation.

“Regional government’s intention is to solve the issue so that they’re not afraid. That’s why we are also not afraid. The solution is clear that single-use plastic needs to be limited because it’s failed to be recycled. We will see how weak or strong the lawsuit in the Constitutional Court,” she said.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

KLHK Inaugurates Waste Management Facilities for Citarum Watershed

Redaksi — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 13:35:00 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) inaugurates integrated waste management facilities in six district/city of Citarum watershed areas as part of the Clean Citarum program. The facility spent more than Rp12 billion (US$852,396).

“There are at least five directorate generals at the ministry of environment and forestry tasked to speed up implementation and sustainability of Citarum watershed restoration. One of the implementations is to hand over waste management facilities in six districts/cities of Citarum watershed which we inaugurate today,” said Minister Siti Nurbaya at Jelekong village of Bandung district, West Java, on Monday (15/04/2019).

The integrated waste management facilities comprise of Recycling Center in Bandung district, Bandung city and Cimahi city with the capacity of ten tons per day, composting with the capacity of 10-30 tons per day, Central Waste Bank with the capacity of one ton per day, in six districts/cities, — Bandung district, Bandung city, Cimahi city, Subang district, Karawang district, and Bekasi city –.

The ministry also hands over 60 sorting bins and 35 units of three-wheels waste motorcycles for the six areas.

“All facility supports given by the government to six districts/cities in Citarum watershed is aimed to improve waste management capacity and stimulants for local governments. We need to encourage for waste management with the paradigm and concept of waste reduction based on 3R, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle,” said Minister Siti. “Hence, public participation and regional waste management capacity in Citarum watershed can be improved also to reduce the burden on landfills.”

To support the facilities, the ministry had allocated Rp12 billion (US$852,396).

Meanwhile, Novrizal Tahar, director of waste management at the ministry, said that all the funds have already being distributed.

So, the funding of Rp12 billion was planned in 2018 and already implemented at the inaugural of the waste management in six districts/cities. It is expected that this waste management built for public to use it correctly and will not litter Citarum watershed anymore, and change their wastes in to something valuable through the recycling center,” said Tahar via telephone, on Tuesday (16/04/2019).

Director general of waste and toxic and hazardous waste at the ministry, Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, signed an MoU and working agreement of integrated waste management with six districts/cities on 3 August 2018 at Le Meridien Hotel, Jakarta.

The MoU and agreement were aimed to support Clean Citarum program and part of the implementation of Presidential Regulation issued in 2018 about Acceleration of Citarum Watershed Pollution Control and Damage.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Indonesia Speeds Up Waste-To-Energy Plant Development in Other Countries

Redaksi — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 12:18:36 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Following the finalization of Merah Putih Waste-To-Energy Plant in Bantar Gebang of Bekasi city, other eleven cities stipulated by the 2018 Presidential Regulation on Waste-To-Energy Plant acceleration to develop the plant are under the spotlight to finish the projects.

However, complicated bidding and third-party collaboration for incinerators development are still hampering their efforts.

Mohamad Nasir, Minister of Research, Technology, and High Technology said that the waste-to-energy plant development in 12 cities must be immediately implemented. To support the acceleration, Minister Nasir said that the Merah Putih Waste-To-Energy Plant model must be certified and included in the e-catalogue of product and service not avoid obstacles to build the plant in regional.

“We are in the state of waste emergency, hence the-12-cities mentioned in the 2018 Presidential Regulation must be pushed [to develop waste-to-energy] plants. The Merah Putih Waste-To-Plant pilot project needs to be certified and included in the e-catalogue of product and service, regulated the price so that mayors or bupatis (red : head of district) are aware and use the e-catalogue from BPPT, that why it no longer needs bidding. Because, the obstacle of waste-to-energy plant is the constant failures of bidding, so it [the development] is not finalized,” said Minister Nasir in Bekasi, on Monday (25/03/2019).

Meanwhile, Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, director general of waste management, toxic and hazardous substances at Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said that it is impossible for BPPT to develop all the waste-to-energy plants. Currently, BPPT can only develop waste-to-energy plant with 100 tons of capacity.

Furthermore, Ratnawati expects for the capacity to be increased.

“Waste-to-energy plant development is not running together. Technology from BPPT is being used but regions also have contracts with other countries, such as Japan and Korea. Because, these areas could not wait for BPPT, so we also receive technology from outside, such as in South Tangerang using [technology] from Korea and Legok Nangka from Japan. I expect for small cities to be able to implement the Bantar Gebang Waste-To-Energy plant,” said Ratnawati to Greeners.

On other cities not included in the presidential regulation, she said that those cities can be included in the inventory to collaborate with BPPT, especially cities having difficulties to find landfills areas.

“It is the state of waste emergency and it is happening in several cities in Indonesia, for example in cities which do not receive Adipura, such as Jakarta, Bekasi, and Medan.Hopefully, they can built the waste-to-energy plant to tackle [waste] issue in the areas,” she said.

Previously, Minister Nasir recommended to Coordinating Minister for Maritime Issues, Luhut Pandjaitan to change the concept of cleanliness, as current responsible is being taken by the government, to be public’s responsibility. For instance, tipping fee or operational, of which he argued public should finance it.

Furthermore, he said that good waste management is to clean the city from waste. However, if the concept is becoming the state’s responsibility by collecting and counted in rupiah, that’s a wrong move.

“I suggested to Coordinating Minister for Maritime issue what if the concept from cleaning waste to be changed because waste is all of our problem, and not just the government. It is true that we can adopt technology from other countries, such as Singapore, Japan, Korea, but we will be doing the design, planning. Bantar Gebang waste-to-energy is proof, so cities like Jakarta, Medan, Bandung, Surabaya, Jogja, Solo, Semarang, and Makassar are included in the-12-cities must be encouraged,” said Minister Nasir.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Bantar Gebang Waste-To-Energy Plant is Ready to Operate

Redaksi — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 11:34:30 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Waste-to-energy plant in Bantargebang, Bekasi, finally inaugurated on Monday (25/3/2019) in Bekasi, by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Minister of Research Technology and High Education, Director General of Waste Management, Toxic and Hazardous Substance of Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and Head of Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology.

The plant, dubbed as Merah Putih, is ready to manage waste up to 100 tons per day and produce 700 kilowatt of electricity. It will serve as national pilot project to tackle waste volume in major cities.

Hammam Riza, head of Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), said Merah Putih Plant applies thermal technology with incinerator type using reciprocating grate. This technology is chosen because it’s has been applied to plenty of waste-to-energy plants in the world, environmentally friendly as it’s equipped with pollution control device, economical, and can be used for type of waste in Indonesia, also it has high level of domestic components.

“The main equipment from waste-to-energy plant comprises four instruments, — bunker to contain waste, platform, grab cane, and burning chamber with reciprocating grate designed to burn waste above 850 degrees Celsius so dioxin and furan can be minimized,” said Riza in Bekasi. “The heat carried by gas resulted from burned waste is used to boil water in boiler to steam, which will turn turbines to produce electricity.”

The waste-to-energy plant also has Air Pollution Control unit to clean hazardous substances carried by exhaust gas, so the gas will meet the standards. In addition, there is pre-treatment unit to sort certain waste not suitable for the plant, such as metal, glass, rock, toxic and hazardous waste and large size waste.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said that the waste-to-energy plant is produced by Indonesians. With this facility, to turn waste into thermal energy can use the country’s own technology and not foreign technology.

“The waste-to-energy plant development started in December 2017 as President [Jokowi] was already upset, because waste issues was unsolved since he was a mayor [in Solo city]. So, we will speed up with lots of regulations, it can be finalized, said Minister Luhut. “Bantar Gebang waste-to-energy plant is going to be a pilot project for other areas or regions, such as Labuan Bajo, Balige, Pontianak which produce 100-200 tons, to be implemented in their own areas. The rules are there, just need to harmonize them.”

The waste-to-energy is part of National Strategic Projects stipulated under the 2017 Presidential Regulation on National Strategic Infrastructure Project. The implementation is regulated under the 2017 Presidential Regulation on National Strategy Policy and the 2018 Presidential Regulation on Environmentally Friendly based Waste-To-Energy Installation Acceleration, which prioritizing on 12 major cities in Indonesia, one is DKI Jakarta.

Meanwhile, Yusmada Faisal, assistant of DKI Jakarta development and environment, said that the-115-hectares Bantar Gebang landfill can only sustain until 2021. With increasing waste volume, DKI Jakarta is predicted to have waste emergency if it is not properly managed.

“The Bantar Gebang landfill can only accept 7,000 tons of waste per day collected from Jakarta cities and 1,200 waste trucks. Hence, we need to think of solution of how to end sanitary landfill process in Bantar Gebang. One of the solutions is with waste-to-energy plant and ITF Sunter which will be finalized in 2021,” said Faisal.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Indonesia Potentially Becomes World’s Largest Plastic Waste Importer

Redaksi — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 13:15:09 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Amid ongoing efforts to tackle waste issue, Indonesia still potentially becoming world’s largest dumpster after China refused to collect wastes from other countries, said an activist in Jakarta on Thursday (21/03/2019).

Indonesia Zero Waste Alliance warned the government to review and strengthen regulations on plastic and paper import taxes.

Senior advisor of BaliFokus, Yuyun Ismawati, said China is currently ranked first as the largest waste importer in the world and Indonesia is the second.

However, Chinese government is no longer accepting plastic wastes due to its National Sword policy.

Hence, it is affecting plastic waste trade. ASEAN nations, including Indonesia, are waste and plastic waste processor countries, either domestic or international.

China has the bigger role to absorb world’s plastic waste.

Based on a research from Amy L. Brooks and colleagues in 2018, “The Chinese Import Ban and Its Impact on Global Plastic Waste Trade” published by Science Advances, China absorb 45.1 percent of world’s waste, accumulatively, between 1988 and 2016.

“If China is the number one and already limit plastic import, then where will countries send their wastes? Because, currently the largest importers are Asians. Obviously, Indonesian government must be cautious, if not we’ll be flooded with plastic waste,” said Ismawati.

Based on Statistic Agency data in 2018, Indonesia’s waste import increases 141 percent or 283,152 tons, with export number is 98,450 tons or 48 percent. It means 184,702 tons of waste in Indonesia excluding domestic waste volume.

Prigi Arisandi of Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation (Ecoton), said imported plastic waste mostly comes from US, UK, and Canada.

The waste comprises 74 percent of food packaging, 20 percent of household products, and six percent is personal items, such as diaper, soap, shampoo.

All of those wastes will be recycled in East Java, near Brantas river.

“These import wastes also sold to local residents for Rp1 million (US$70.60) per truck which can be resold for up tp Rp2 million (US$141.20). Meanwhile, non-recyclable plastic scrapes can be resold as fuel for local tofu factories,” Arisandi said. “Unfortunately, residues from imported plastic and paper oftentimes dumped into Brantas river or burn resulting water and air pollution.

Furthermore, he said Brantas river’s water contains 292 to 2,499 particle per microplastics per liter and its sewerage line contains 3,896 particles per liter.

It is concerning reality and dangerous because the river is the resource for six millions of customers throughout Surabaya city.

Meanwhile, Fajri Fadilah, a researcher at Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL), said that the Trade Minister Regulation issued in 2016 on non-toxic and hazardous waste import is sufficient, following the surveyor’s monitoring each month.

However, it is different reality in the field. The regulation only allows imported plastic from industries, not domestic waste from households.

“If you look at waste accepted by Indonesia, mostly they’re already contaminated by toxic and hazardous substances, which should not happen. The government should be strict on implementing the regulation and if the type of waste is not according to the regulation, then we have the rights to return the waste, if not they will pile up and create new problems,” said Fadilah.

The alliance’s recommendations for Indonesian government are to review regulations and policies on imported waste and scrapes, especially plastic and paper, to limit contaminated substances on imported waste and plastic/paper scrapes to less than 0.5 percent, to develop system and incentive to increase recycle waste percentage domestically, to ban toxic and hazardous substances as additive on plastics and while recycling, and to evaluate companies granted with imported plastic and paper scrapes permits.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Indonesia Steps Up Global Partnerships to Tackle Plastic Waste

Redaksi — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 11:03:22 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Issues, Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Environment and Forestry launch a collaboration dubbed Global Plastic Action Partnerships, comprises of business people, civil society and local stakeholders, in the effort to reduce plastic waste pollution.

Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, coordinating minister for maritime issues, said the cooperation is the latest effort included in the country’s national action plan to reduce marine plastic waste up to 70 percent, reducing waste to 30 percent and managing waste to 70 percent by 2025.

“The government’s target is to reduce plastic 70 percent in 2025 is really what we’re aiming for. This ambitious target, of course, requires hard work from related elements. With this program and other ongoing programs, along with action plan in the field, reducing plastic waste can be achieved,” said Minister Luhut in Jakarta on Monday (11/03/2019).

Furthermore, he said that the partnerships will involve companies, civil society and government organizations, such as Chandra Asri Petrochemical, Coca-Cola Amatil, Blue Bird, Dow Chemicals, Yayasan Ellen MacArthur, Evoware, Giti Grup, Greenhope, Indonesia Business Council for Sustainable Development (IBCSD), Indorama Synthetics, Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur, Nestle, PepsiCo, World Bank, and WWF Indonesia.

“Under the collaboration and team works with World Economic Forum, we can mobilize public support, private sector and citizens to be able to protect the rich marine biodiversity for the sake of our children and grandchildren,” he said.

He added that with different stakeholders, the government can evaluate suitable solution to plastic waste pollution, develop investment plan and action to reduce plastic waste and prioritize investment opportunity, and set up road map for implementation.

Meanwhile, Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, director general of waste, toxic and hazardous management at Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said that to support the collaboration, the ministry’s action will be based on the 2017 presidential regulation on waste management, which focuses on to reduce waste up to 30 percent and manage waste to 70 percent.

On reducing waste, particularly plastic waste, Ministry of Environment and Forestry encourages for circular economy through waste banks to recycle plastic waste.

“Waste management is no longer collect-transfer-throw but there’s money and business from waste, which is called as circular economy,” said Ratnawati. “In Indonesia, there are more than 7,000 waste banks supporting this circular economy with would worth billions of rupiah per year. It is also used by people to create jobs. So, circular economy is important to achieve plastic waste targets announced by the government.”

Dominic Waughray, Managing Director, Head of Center for Global Public Goods, World Economic Forum, said that the uniqueness of Global Plastic Action Partnerships is to show the world that effective science based cooperation among stakeholders can tackle the complicated issue and preserve natural resources for next generation.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

KLHK to Issue Regulation on Tipping Fee Subsidy for Waste Management

Redaksi — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 14:53:31 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – In spite of presidential regulation issued in 2018 stipulated the acceleration of waste-to-energy plant development, budget allocation for the tipping fee of waste management in regional remains an issue. Hence, Ministry of Environment and Forestry or KLHK is preparing a ministerial regulation on tipping fee subsidy for regions developing the project.

Novrizal Tahar, director of waste management at the ministry, said that central government will subsidize the tipping fees for 12 regions stipulated by the 2018 Presidential Regulation to develop the Waste-To-Energy plants.

The subsidies will be recommended by Minister of Environment and Forestry to Minister of Finance.

“If the 12 regions need [subsidy] for the tipping fees, then the region heads must submit official proposal to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the recommendation [from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry] then being forwarded to Ministry of Finance,” said Tahar in Jakarta on Friday (08/03/2019). “The subsidy’s technicality had been discussed and discussed among other sectors. So, it’s probably not for long for the ministerial regulation [to be issued], hence, it will ensure the project to be immediately developed.”

Furthermore, he said that the discussion on the tipping fee guidance is final, however, it still requires several reviews and consultation from Minister of Environment and Forestry.

The requirements for the subsidy are official letter from regional to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, already obtained Project Based Learned, recommendation for the proposed tipping fee, and assignment of the tipping fee submission.

He said the ministry’s team will evaluate and monitor the subsidy every year. The evaluation will determine on the total subsidy granted to the regional administrations.

“The tipping fee subsidy will be distributed every year. We [the ministry] will evaluate and monitor, if the waste-to-energy plant in bad shape or low emission cuts, it will reduce the tipping fee for next year,” he said.

Currently, Surabaya city has finalized the installation of the Waste-To-Energy plant and operating. The plant potentially produces at least nine megawatt of electricity with the capacity of 1,000 tons of waste.

In addition, DKI Jakarta did its groundbreaking and Solo has run its gasification technology.

Previously, at the national working meeting attended by 11 ministries and coordinating ministry for maritime affairs, Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya, announced that her office is closely monitoring regional administrations by issuing notes to regional administrations lacking with landfills. Minister Siti refers them as not good cities and underlines Waste-To-Energy plant to be the solution.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Waste Bank in West Jakarta Hit Billions Rupiah of Profit

Redaksi — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 12:14:28 +0000

Jakarta (Greeners) – After adopting waste bank into the government’s program in 2010, it starts to show success. The program, aiming to reduce waste volume at landfills, are transforming into main source of income worth of billions of rupiah.

Ministry of Environment and Forestry encourages waste bank as a program to sort and manage waste from the source. To support the program, the government held Waste Bank National Coordination as a platform of communication and lesson learning among waste bank practitioners in Indonesia, each year.

Wilda Yanti, one of waste bank practitioner, said the bank needs to harmonize economical and environmental sides of waste management.

The main goal of waste bank is to save environment by educating people to sort waste from the source, in addition to have economical value for public. The sorted waste will be collected and be exchanged with money by waste bank.

“Waste bank is an effective method in Indonesia to educate people to sort waste. The economical values is just an added value for helping families to pay electric or water bills, for instance. So, people are willing to participate. It means the economical values motivate people,” said Yanti in Jakarta on Tuesday (26/02/2019).

Furthermore, she said that the concept of waste bank to educate people about waste management will eventually reduce waste. As people’s knowledge increases, she added, the economical value of waste then can also be put aside in waste management.

“[We] need to extend the knowledge so waste can be economically managed. Nevertheless, there are misperception among other friends, there’s this concern that if [they] manage waste, it will produce more waste. [However] the initial goal is to keep reduce waste and for people to sort waste,” she said.

Based on Ministry of Environment and Forestry data, waste bank has increased significantly in the past four years, from 1,172 units to 7,488 units. The increase contributes to reducing 1.7 percent or 1,389,522 tons per year of national waste and generates an average of Rp 1,484 billion (US$105,465) per year.

She said that waste banks are very likely to gain billions of rupiah profit provided they have good management, as there are also waste banks go bankrupt because of poor management.

One of the success story of waste bank with billions rupiah profit is Satu Hati Waste Bank in West Jakarta, which established in April 2017. The Satu Hati Waste Bank had gained at least Rp7.2 billion (US$511,736) profit.

“The profit is not our revenue but basically money that has been circling among the residents of West Jakarta. The Satu Hati Waste Bank can receive between Rp12-15 millions per week, in average. The success comes because in August 2017, we signed an MoU with Bank BNI and Danone, which is still going on,” said Edy Mulyanto, head of West Jakarta Environmental Agency.

Mulyanto said that Bank BNI manages the finance of 662 waste bank units in West Jakarta. The money will go directly to customer’s bank account, he added.

“Our management system is a collaboration between people and government. The Satu Hati Waste Bank can be an example for other waste banks. We also manage to reduce non-organic waste at the Bantar Gebang Landfill by 3,780 tons,” he said.

The 2019 National Waste Care Day took on the theme of Manage Waste for Clean, Healthy and Valuable Life. Waste bank is expected to be the effort of saving the environment and transform waste into economically valuable for people.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih

Minister of Environment and Forestry Calls for Reducing Household Waste

Redaksi — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 11:33:37 +0000

Semarang (Greeners) – Celebrating the 2019 National Waste Care Day, Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya, encourages for people to reduce waste starting from their homes.

“Government’s plan in 2025 [is] to reduce waste by 30 percent, which mostly coming from households. Currently, those wastes were only reduced by 2.7 to three percent in Indonesia. Hence, people are encouraged to sort, reuse, or recycle,” said Minister Siti at Sendang Sikucing beach, Kendal, on Sunday (24/2/2019).

The event was held simultaneously in eight locations in Central Java, — Kendal, Tegal, Brebes, Pemalang, Batang, Rembang, Jepara and Kebumen –, which have big rivers and beaches.

During the clean up event at Sendang Sikucing beach, waste managed to be collected was 100 kilograms. The event was a follow up of Clean Indonesia Movement launched on 21 February 2019 in Jakarta.

Clean Indonesia Movement is aimed to improve healthy living in homes, schools, work places and communities, also to upgrade facilities supporting the lifestyle.

Furthermore, the focus of the movement is to develop a holistic and integrated waste management, including clean rivers, and provide public facilities.

Next, it will revise laws and regulations, and give incentives for companies or private sector or institutions in waste management.

The movement underlines the roles of people to support sanitary and healthy living, in addition to law enforcement.

As an example, Jatibarang Landfill, which received grants from Royal Danish Government under Environmental Support Programme Phase 3 or ESP3, is currently developing waste-to-energy power plant fueled by landfill gas technology or dubbed as LFG.

The power plant will produce 800 kilowatt, reduce greenhouse gas emission by 6,000 tons CO2e per year, prevent environmental pollution caused by waste and water, and create jobs.

After attended the clean up event at Sendang Sikucing beach in Kendal, Minister Siti and her staffs visited Jatibarang Landfill located in Semarang city, accompanied by its mayor, Hendrar Prihadi.

She led the ceremony of the event attended by local students and civil organizations. She also handed over sanitary equipment to attendees.

The government supports the project with the issuance of Presidential Regulation No.35 Year 2018 on Environmentally Friendly Waste-To-Energy Installation Development Acceleration. The decree cited Semarang as one of 12 cities stipulated to waste-to-energy plant development.

Reports by Dewi Purningsih