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)