The collapse of a waste pile at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste\nProcessing Centre (TPST) that claimed seven lives on 8 March\ndemonstrated that waste management is no longer merely an environmental\nissue. The problem has now become a matter of human safety.<\/p>\n
Large-scale waste accumulation at open dumping sites presents\nsignificant risk when not managed with adequate systems. This situation\nhas prompted various stakeholders to reconsider the need for a\nfundamental shift in how urban waste is handled.<\/p>\n
Professor Wiratni, Professor of Chemical Engineering at Gadjah Mada\nUniversity and environmental advocate, identified the root cause as a\nflawed conceptual approach to waste management. According to her,\ncurrent practice remains oriented towards waste disposal rather than\nprocessing. Consequently, waste volumes continue to accumulate at\nlandfill sites without adequate reduction processes. An ideal waste\nmanagement system requires reduction efforts upstream and proper\nprocessing downstream.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fundamental problem is that waste management is still viewed as\ndisposal, not as a processing effort,\u201d she stated on Thursday, 12\nMarch.<\/p>\n
Wiratni further explained that landfill operations do retain a role\nin modern waste management systems. However, landfills should only be\nthe final stage after various processing stages have been completed.\nProcessing can begin with waste sorting at source, composting for\norganic waste, and thermal processes for inorganic materials. Under such\na system, only a small residue ultimately enters the landfill.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn ideal waste management, landfills are still necessary but only as\nthe final stage in the waste processing system,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
According to the Professor of Bioprocess Engineering, current\npractices at many landfill sites across Indonesia fall far short of\nproper management standards. Waste is often deposited without regard to\nsafe landfill design principles. Yet proper landfill management requires\ncareful slope gradient regulation, height limitations for waste piles,\nand sound leachate management systems. Without such management,\nlandslide risk and environmental contamination increase\nsubstantially.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happens in Indonesia is that landfills are merely used to pile\nup waste without observing the required standards,\u201d Wiratni stated.<\/p>\n
Wiratni expressed regret that many view waste problems as purely\ntechnological challenges. However, if examined carefully, the root\nissues relate to society\u2019s behaviour in generating and managing waste.\nTherefore, social and humanities approaches become critical factors in\nfinding effective solutions. Each region possesses different\nsocio-economic conditions, so technological approaches must be adapted\nto local community contexts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe waste problem becomes prolonged because public behaviour has not\nchanged,\u201d she emphasised.<\/p>\n
She noted that waste processing technology implementation is\nfrequently hindered due to inadequate social engineering support.\nWithout behavioural change and proper management systems, available\ntechnology struggles to produce meaningful impact. This explains why\nvarious waste processing technologies have not been fully successfully\nimplemented across many regions.<\/p>\n
According to Wiratni, integration between technology and social\nengineering represents the key to successful waste management. She\nstressed that in preventing similar disasters in the future,\nuniversities hold an important role as testing grounds for various\ninnovations. Campuses can function as living laboratories that integrate\ntechnology development with social approaches. The results can then form\nthe basis for policy recommendations to government.<\/p>\n
She believes that methodologies developed by Gadjah Mada University\nenable more contextual and implementable solutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, UGM has developed community-based waste management\nmodels at the Centre for Agro-technology Innovation (PIAT),\u201d she\nexplained.<\/p>\n
Located in Berbah, Sleman, PIAT processes approximately 8 to 10\ntonnes of waste from the campus and surrounding residential areas. The\nsystem integrates waste processing with a social approach to encourage\nbehavioural change. According to Wiratni, such micro-scale approaches\ncan reduce dependence on large landfills.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt PIAT we built an integrated waste management ecosystem linked\nwith various applications of processed products,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
As part of system development, UGM constructed an integrated waste\nmanagement ecosystem within the campus environment. Internet of\nThings-based weighing technology monitors waste generation whilst\ndocumenting campus community behaviour in producing waste. Processed\nproducts such as compost, maggot, and building materials are then\nconnected with various other campus innovations, adding value. According\nto Wiratni, this approach serves as a learning platform for communities\nin developing more sustainable waste management systems.<\/p>\n
\u201cOverall, what UGM has developed is not merely waste processing\ntechnology, but a circular economy ecosystem serving as a showcase for\nthe integrated contributions of UGM\u2019s various fields of expertise,\u201d she\nconcluded.<\/p>\n
Both central and regional governments are blamed for failing to\ncomprehensively implement waste management policies, allowing the\nBantargebang waste collapse disaster to recur. Jakarta Provincial\nGovernment announced strategic measures to reduce pressure on\nBantargebang TPST in Bekasi. Jakarta Regional Parliament member\nJosephine Simanjuntak urged the Provincial Government to increase\nresident participation in addressing the problem. The National Disaster\nManagement Agency (BNPB) warned of risks of secondary landfill collapse\nat Bantargebang.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-bantargebang-tragedy-evidence-of-indonesias-fragile-waste-management-system-1773384747", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }