Central Java Governor Optimistic of Waste-Free Province by 2028
Banyumas (ANTARA) - Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi is optimistic that Central Java can achieve a waste-free condition by 2028, faster than the national target, in line with the ongoing strengthening of integrated waste management systems being developed in various regions.
Luthfi expressed this optimism after accompanying President Prabowo Subianto on a visit to the Environment and Education-Based Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST BLE) in Wlahar Wetan Village, Kalibagor Subdistrict, Banyumas Regency, on Tuesday afternoon.
According to him, President Prabowo’s interest in the waste management system in Banyumas is a positive signal that the upstream-to-downstream approach based on a circular economy implemented in Central Java is on the right track.
“The President is very interested. This becomes a role model. From upstream to downstream, we work on it together,” he emphasised.
He stated that the Central Java Provincial Government is currently accelerating the development of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF)-based waste processing facilities in several regencies and cities.
Currently, 13 regencies and cities are in the RDF development stage, while three other areas are already operational.
“We are pushing the RDF development to optimise waste handling,” he said.
He added that the Provincial Government of Central Java has also prepared downstream support through cooperation with four cement factories as buyers (off-takers) of processed waste products.
“We have four cement factories as off-takers. This is our strength,” he said.
He assessed that the model developed in Banyumas serves as a concrete example of integrating waste management from the household level to final utilisation with economic value.
Furthermore, he emphasised that Central Java is ready to exceed the national waste management target set for 2029.
“The national target is zero waste in 2029. Central Java is ready to achieve it faster; we are optimistic it will be reached in 2028,” he emphasised.
Governor Luthfi also said that President Prabowo gave appreciation for Central Java’s achievements, which are considered good and have the potential to serve as an example for other provinces in integrated waste management.
Meanwhile, Edy Nugroho, Head of the Technical Implementation Unit of the Banyumas TPST BLE Service, stated that the waste management system in the regency is carried out in an integrated manner from upstream to downstream, thus having economic value.
“Our system is from upstream to downstream, towards waste to value, turning waste into something with economic value,” he said.
He mentioned that the waste generation in Banyumas reaches 738.80 tonnes per day.
From that amount, he said, 574.52 tonnes or about 77.76 percent has been managed, while around 164 tonnes per day remains unhandled at the TPST.