Cities need to manage waste

Cities need to manage waste

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian cities badly need integrated hazardous waste and sewage management centers to protect the environment from further deterioration, says Surna T. Djajadiningrat, an assistant to the State Minister of Environment.

"Almost no Indonesian cities have sewage management centers. And it's time to install such centers in the cities to meet the needs of the growing population," Surna said at a one-day seminar on environment-friendly industries organized by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Waste and sewage management centers are costly but, as Surna pointed out, they can be integrated. When houses and industrial plants are located close together, management will be less costly.

He invited private sector companies to invest in waste and sewage management projects and is convinced that the projects will promise quick returns.

"Considering the limited government budget and the weak management of locally-owned companies, the private sector should take the lead in building such centers," Surna said in his written presentation.

He explained that the investment amount needed for integrated industrial waste management centers may range from Rp 25 billion (US$11.5 million) to Rp 50 billion, depending on their capacity. Investments would likely be recovered within five to 10 years.

Integrated sewage management centers will require investments of Rp 10 billion to Rp 50 billion, with recovery of investment coming within five to seven years. Integrated hospital waste management would cost between Rp 5 billion and Rp 10 billion, and investments would be recovered within five to 10 years. (rid)