56 companies receive environmental awards

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

As many as 56 companies received awards on Thursday from the city administration for success in managing their liquid waste.

Head of the City Environment Management Body (BPLHD) Kosasih Wirahadikusuh said that the companies were selected from 800 that took part in a clean liquid waste contest adjudicated by the organizing committee.

"The awards given to the companies that have managed to clean up their own liquid waste are expected to encourage other companies to do the same thing," Kosasih told The Jakarta Post.

He revealed the committee had established a set of criteria against which companies would receive zero to 100 marks based on their level of success, adding that a company would receive an award if it met at least 75 percent of the criteria.

Among the criteria were obedience in sending samples of liquid waste to BPLHD every three months, keeping liquid waste at tolerable levels and having adequate liquid waste treatment facilities.

Companies receiving awards include PT Astra Daihatsu Motor, PT Australia Indonesia Milk Industries (Indomilk), PT Kimia Farma, PT Krama Yudha Ratu Motor, PT. Khong Guan Biskuit, Pondok Indah hospital, Sint Carolus hospital, PT Siemens Indonesia, Husada hospital and Avon Indonesia.

The awards were presented at a ceremony held at Jakarta fairground, Kemayoran, on Thursday.

BPLHD recorded that 27,206 businesses produced liquid waste: 1,598 of them large, 9,476 medium and 16,132 small.

Contest results indicate that of the 22,506 companies in the city, only 56 have properly managed their liquid wastes.

This has provided evidence to back up criticism by environmentalists that Jakarta's rivers have become dump sites for industrial concerns.

Only about 585 companies routinely send samples of their liquid waste to BPLHD.

The awards were made for the first time to 27 companies in 2000, followed by 38 in 2001 and 60 in 2002.

During the ceremony, the organizing committee also staged an environment exhibition and seminar on water conservation.

Best 10 companies for liquid waste management

1. PT. Astra Daihatsu Motor (vehicle assembly) 2. PT. Mulia Knitting Factory Ltd. (textiles) 3. PT. Gaya Motor (vehicle assembly) 4. PT. Australia Indonesia Milk Industries (Indomilk) 5. PT. Kimia Farma (pharmaceutical goods) 6. PT. Krama Yuda Ratu Motor (vehicle assembly) 7. PT. National Gobel (electronics) 8. PT. Heinz ABC Indonesia (food processing) 9. PT. Mustika Ratu (cosmetics) 10. PT Astra Daihatsu Motor (engine plant)