Bandung City Government Deploys Waste Sorting Officers in Every Neighbourhood

Bandung (ANTARA) — The Bandung city government has deployed one waste sorting officer in every neighbourhood unit (RW) as part of efforts to accelerate the handling of the waste management crisis in the City of Flowers.

The Head of the PPLB3 Division at Bandung’s Environmental Agency said the waste sorting and processing officer programme (Gaslah) was launched in response to the waste management emergency, particularly following the prohibition on incinerator use.

“We will monitor and periodically evaluate the performance of Gaslah officers. Supporting facilities will also be completed in stages to ensure their work becomes increasingly effective,” said Salman in Bandung on Sunday.

Salman said 1,596 officers have been stationed across all neighbourhood units with monthly stipend support, with a total budget of approximately Rp23 to Rp24 billion per year.

He said the officers’ performance would be monitored and evaluated periodically, accompanied by the gradual provision of supporting facilities.

Furthermore, Salman said the Gaslah programme also aims to raise public awareness of waste sorting.

He added that the officers are also expected to educate the public on sustainable organic waste processing in order to reduce waste volumes reaching collection points and landfills, as well as to strengthen waste-free zones.

Bandung currently produces an average of 1,500 tonnes of waste per day, of which 30 to 40 per cent is organic waste.

“Gaslah officers are the frontline of waste management services at the neighbourhood level,” he said.