The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.
A lot of waste generation and less than optimal waste reduction are a tough challenge towards a waste-free Indonesia. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to do, seeing as many countries have already succeeded in optimizing waste management in their countries.
The problem of garbage in Indonesia seems to never end. At the world level, Indonesia is often highlighted as one of the countries with poor waste management. Data from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) states that Indonesia is the second largest producer of plastic waste in the world after China. Every year, there are 3.2 million tons of unmanaged plastic waste. Worse, there are 1.29 million tons of trash that just ends up in the sea.
Another highlight is directed towards the scattered waste in several rivers in Indonesia. This is thanks to the action of Pandawara Group which initiated the cleaning of garbage in several rivers. From their action videos uploaded on social media, it is indeed apparent that there is a lot of waste left stagnant in the rivers and coastal areas.
Although it has often received attention from the global level and society, attention to waste issues usually only lasts temporarily. However, if not handled maximally, the predicted increase in waste generation will continue to fill the environment and cause disease.
The increase in waste generation is unavoidable. This is reasonable because with the increasing population, the amount of waste produced also increases. According to data from the National Policy and Strategy for Waste Management (Jaktranas) in Presidential Regulation No. 97 of 2017, the projected waste generation in 2025 is expected to reach 70.8 million tons. This is an increase of 7.6 percent from 65.8 million tons of waste generated in 2017.
Also read: Waste Management Emergency in Indonesia
Data from the National Waste Management System (SIPSN) also shows a record of increasing waste generation. It is recorded that the annual waste generation in 2022 will reach 34.9 million tons with an average daily waste amount of 95,500 tons. This amount was much higher than in 2019. At that time, only 29.3 million tons of waste were generated, with 80,200 tons of waste collected per day.
This condition illustrates that handling waste is a serious matter to be followed up immediately. The government has actually paid attention to this problem both in various policies and programs. One of them is Presidential Regulation Number 97 of 2017 concerning National Policy and Strategy for the Management of Household Waste and Household-like Waste.
Inside it is stated a fairly high target related to waste management. The government has set a target for 2025, where waste reduction must reach 30 percent of the total waste generated that year. This means that a reduction of 20.9 million tons of waste is needed. In addition, a waste management target has also been set for 70 percent of the total waste generated, or 49.9 million tons of waste.
The target is being carried out gradually. In 2017, waste reduction was targeted at 15 percent of the total waste generated, while waste management was targeted at 72 percent. Then in 2021, the waste reduction target increased to 24 percent and waste management to 74 percent.
With that target, all collected waste must be managed so that it is not just piled up. The management is indeed carried out through waste reduction and handling. Waste reduction is done by limiting, recycling, and reusing waste. Meanwhile, waste handling is more towards the process of sorting, collecting, transporting, processing, and final processing.
These targets are indeed quite difficult to achieve. This is because participation from the public and the private sector is needed. In reducing waste, for example, the government is trying to implement extended producer responsibility (EPR).
This EPR is aimed at manufacturers to hold them responsible for the environmental impact of their production processes. Manufacturers are directed to maintain environmental sustainability from product design to disposal by consumers.
Also read: When Pandawara Initiated Clean Up Coastal Lampung
However, the implementation of this EPR has not produced maximum results. Until 2022, only 15 business entities have implemented EPR. The amount of waste that has been reduced is only 1,145.5 tons.
At the community level, the government operates waste banks. This program is implemented by involving the community. In addition to reducing waste, waste banks are also useful for adding economic value to the collected waste. Communities also benefit economically from waste collection and processing.
Based on its geographical scope, waste banks are divided into two categories, namely Unit Waste Banks (BSU) and Central Waste Banks (BSI). BSU covers the area of RT, RW, urban villages, and residential areas, while BSI covers commercial and industrial areas as well as broader regions.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has noted that as of 2021, there are 11,556 waste bank units scattered across 363 districts/cities. From these waste banks, there are 419,204 registered customers. The monthly revenue received by waste banks as of July 2021 reached IDR 2.8 billion.
Unfortunately, the large number of waste banks only managed to reduce waste by 2.7 percent from the total national waste generation. This figure is not significantly different from the achievement in 2018, which reduced waste by 2.4 percent. In 2018, there were only 7,488 waste bank units with 209,144 customers. This means that the increase in the number of waste banks has not yet had a maximum impact on waste reduction in Indonesia.
Many obstacles hinder the optimal functioning of waste banks in handling waste issues in Indonesia. The resources and attention devoted to managing waste banks are limited. The majority of waste banks are found in low-to-middle-income communities, and are dominated by senior citizens.
In addition, waste banks still stand alone without their own industry. As a result, waste distribution is obstructed and sporadic. Not all waste banks are directly connected to recycling factories. This causes the collection and sale of waste to be unstable. Moreover, waste bank operations also require significant costs.
The steep path that Indonesia must take in managing waste is also experienced by other countries. At the global level, the World Bank reveals that there are 2.01 billion tons of household waste collected per year.
Of this amount, as much as 33 percent are not managed properly. For countries with a limited area, this is a challenge in itself. This is because Tinal disposal (TPA) is also limited. Switzerland experienced this condition. However, due to these limitations, Switzerland seeks other alternatives which are optimal ways to reduce and manage waste.
Also read: TPA Piyungan Closes, Local Government of DIY Prepares Temporary Waste Storage Land
It’s not that Swiss citizens don’t throw away a lot of trash. In fact, they are among the highest waste producers among member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). According to OECD data, each person in Switzerland generates around 700 kilograms of waste per capita. This amount is above the average waste production per capita in OECD countries, which is around 500 kilograms.
The amount of waste generated per person in Switzerland has also doubled in the last 50 years. However, their waste management has also significantly improved. It is proven that more than half of households routinely separate and categorize waste for recycling. This habit is encouraged by government policies since 1990, which implement a special fee for disposed of waste bags.
In addition, the waste collection and recycling system at the household level is also well-organized. Each residential area has a collection point for recyclable waste. Public facilities such as supermarkets and train stations also provide collection services for plastics, bottles, batteries, and paper for recycling. All facilities and recycling services can be accessed for free.
Waste management in Switzerland shows the need for stricter policies on waste handling. Not only that, facilities and waste management systems, down to the smallest scope in residential areas, also need to support the process of waste collection and processing. From these two things, awareness of waste management is slowly being instilled in society. However, it needs to be supported by incentives and benefits both economically and non-economically that can be obtained by the community.
Although the management situation in Indonesia is still hindered by numerous obstacles, it is not impossible for Indonesia to be free from waste. This is not just a mere plan, but it must really be achieved. Because the situation is already in an emergency state and cannot be postponed anymore.
EPR and waste banks have become a good first step in waste management involving the private sector and the community. This can be further optimized so that the waste reduction target of up to 30 percent and 70 percent waste handling can be achieved. (R & D COMPASS)
