Implementing Sustainable Waste Management Solutions in Indonesian Urban Areas

Source: (https://www.kompas.id/)

Implementing Sustainable Waste Management Solutions in Indonesian Urban Areas
By Muhamad Ghazi Athira

The road to an Indonesia free of waste is paved with considerable trash generation and subpar waste reduction. Given how many nations have already achieved national waste management optimization, it is not impossible. Garbage is an ongoing concern in Indonesia. Indonesia is frequently mentioned as one of the nations with inadequate waste management on a global scale. 

Based on data sourced from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Indonesia ranks second globally in terms of plastic garbage production, trailing only China. There are 3.2 million tons of mismanaged plastic garbage produced annually. Even worse, 1.29 million tons of garbage simply wind up in the ocean. Indonesia has enormous obstacles when it comes to waste management, especially in urban areas where high population densities and economic activity lead to huge trash production. 

To solve resource depletion, public health hazards, and environmental problems, sustainable waste management solutions must be put into place. This article looks at how waste is currently managed in Indonesian cities and investigates long-term ways to lessen its negative effects.

Due to increased urbanization, poor infrastructure, and scarce resources, waste management issues in Indonesian cities are becoming more and more problematic. The issue is made worse by an aging population and shifting consumer habits, which puts more pressure on trash disposal facilities and garbage generation. Negligent waste management techniques, such burning and open dumping, pose serious threats to human health and the environment by contaminating soil, water, and air and destroying habitats.

The solutions into solving this problem are:

1. Source Segregation and Recycling Programs: By encouraging citizens to segregate their garbage at the point of generation, source segregation initiatives make recycling and resource recovery easier. Recycling programs for organic, paper, plastic, and glass garbage can lower the total waste stream and save valuable materials from landfills. To support source segregation and stimulate involvement in recycling systems, public awareness campaigns and community engagement initiatives are crucial.
2. Composting and Organic Waste Management: Composting provides a sustainable way to manage organic waste, keeping biodegradable materials out of landfills and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Communities can set up composting facilities to turn waste organic materials into nutrient-rich compost for use in farming. Municipalities can promote community-based composting projects and offer incentives for composting practices.
3. Waste-to-Energy Technology: By utilizing waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies, non-recyclable garbage can be transformed into renewable energy sources, such heat and electricity. Anaerobic digesters and incinerators are examples of advanced WTE facilities that can process residual waste with the least amount of negative environmental effects. By generating renewable energy and managing garbage, these technologies help create a more sustainable urban infrastructure.
4. Technology Driven Solutions: The procedures of collecting, transporting, and disposing of waste can be made more efficient by embracing technology-driven solutions like digital platforms and intelligent waste management systems. In trash management operations, real-time monitoring, route optimization, and predictive maintenance can be made possible by Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, geographic information systems (GIS), and data analytics. Initiatives for waste reporting, citizen participation, and feedback systems can all be facilitated via mobile apps and internet platforms.

One of the examples of the success of reducing and sustaining the waste is in Surabaya. The second-largest city in Indonesia has achieved notable progress in sustainable garbage management by implementing creative regulations and fostering community involvement. The “Gerbang Bambu” (Bamboo Gate) program of the city incentivizes citizens to recycle and reduce waste by exchanging their household rubbish for rice or medical services. Source segregation, composting, recycling facilities, and waste-to-energy plants are all part of Surabaya’s integrated waste management strategy, which improves environmental results and promotes public health.

In conclusion sustainable waste management is a critical issue that calls for all-encompassing plans and cooperative efforts from the public sector, private sector, communities, and civil society. Indonesia can move toward a more sustainable and circular waste management system by enacting extended producer responsibility programs, encouraging recycling initiatives, investing in composting infrastructure, implementing source segregation programs. The success story of Surabaya shows how creative legislation and community involvement may influence waste management methods for the better. Indonesian communities can make great strides toward tackling the waste management problem and creating a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient environment for coming generations if they work together and are committed to sustainability.

References:
Indraswari, D. L. (2023, August 7). The Long Road To A Trash-Free Indonesia. kompas.id. https://www.kompas.id/baca/english/2023/08/07/en-jalan-panjang-menuju-indonesia-bebas-sampah

Surabaya’s Community-Led Approach to Waste Management – Global Covenant of Mayors. (2019, April 10). Global Covenant of Mayors.