Banten Governor urges residents to sort waste to support Serang Raya WTE facility

The issue of waste is not solely the responsibility of the community but also a shared duty among district, city, and provincial governments.

Serang (ANTARA) - Banten Governor Andra Soni has urged the public to start getting into the habit of sorting waste at the household level to support the planned operation of the Serang Raya Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility.

“We must get into the habit of sorting waste from households right from the source. This will make the process at the waste-to-energy power plant much easier in the future,” said Andra Soni while leading a community clean-up activity in the Tamansari area, Serang City, on Wednesday.

The clean-up activity, or korve, themed Gerakan Banten ASRI, was held to coincide with World Water Day, as well as marking the signing of a Joint Agreement on the Development of the Serang Raya WTE facility.

The agreement, forged with the Serang Regency Government, Serang City Government, and Cilegon City Government, forms part of efforts to accelerate waste management under the Gerakan Indonesia ASRI (Safe, Healthy, Clean, and Beautiful) programme.

According to the Governor, the waste issue is not just the public’s responsibility but a joint task for district, city, and provincial governments. He emphasised the importance of a spirit of mutual cooperation so that waste accumulation does not become a time bomb in the future.

Therefore, he encouraged future environmental clean-up activities to expand public participation to foster collective awareness.

“I hope the next korve also involves schoolchildren, even if just occasionally. Vertical government agencies should also be involved, as well as community groups. This way, a shared awareness will emerge that cleanliness is our responsibility,” Andra stated firmly.

“Participants consisted of regional apparatus under the Banten Provincial Government, Serang City, and Serang Regency, BUMD executives, TNI and Police members, as well as direct involvement from local residents,” said Arlan.