1,600 factories guilty of dumping toxic waste
JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta City Deputy Governor for Economic and Development Affairs Tb. M. Rais said yesterday that at least 1,600 factories in Jakarta are guilty of dumping poisonous waste.
"Considering the figure, there is a lot that we must do," Rais admitted.
Rais was speaking during a signing ceremony of a document affirming a commitment on proper waste management between industrial companies and the Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedal).
At least 100 big industries in Jakarta and surrounding areas, including Texmaco, Argo Pantes, Garuda Indonesia and Chandra Asri, have signed the pledge to obey government regulations on poisonous waste management.
During the past 25 years many structural changes have taken place, including in the social, economic and physical environments, Rais said.
"But frankly speaking we have to admit that progress in one area has not yet produced an agreeable picture in other fields, particularly that of the environment. We have felt the effect of air pollution caused by traffic. And from the media we learn that certain places are running out of water. In addition, we have water pollution in Jakarta's rivers. These things give us cause for concern," Rais said.
Rais added that the pollution problem in Jakarta is growing exponentially.
The document, according to Rais, will help local administrations and related institutions speed up the process of managing poisonous waste in the city.
Bapedal chairman Nabiel Makarim said that the pledge was a result of the "partnership approach" outlined by the Ministry of Environment to ensure the implementation of the existing regulations on waste management.
"For those who refuse to accept the policy we will take the legal approach," Nabiel promised.
Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said that big companies in Jakarta, Bandung and their surrounds must complete their hazardous waste treatment plants by December this year.
"The government will bring any companies violating the government decree on hazardous waste management into court if they fail to have waste treatment facilities by December this year," he told reporters.
PT PPLI
The general director of the state-owned aircraft company IPTN, A. Widyanarso Doeriat, said IPTN has negotiated for certain categories of its waste products to be treated by the PT Prasadha Pamunah Limbah Industri (PPLI), a waste treatment company jointly owned by Waste Management International of Britain, and PT Bimantara Citra, a private firm owned by Bambang Trihatmodjo and the Bapedal.
PPLI, which began operating in January last year, is located in Cileungsi, West Java. It is the first plant of its kind in Indonesia and reportedly the largest in Southeast Asia.
"We send our waste to PPLI because we cannot treat the waste ourselves. Besides, it is more economical," Doeriat said, adding that the cost is being negotiated. (01)