Companies pledge to manage waste

JAKARTA (JP): Around 100 companies in Jakarta and West Java are expected to sign a commitment to improve the way they manage their waste, after the government environmental watchdog explained the rules on hazardous waste to them.

"We invited 102 companies in turn in the last three days to explain the rules," Nabiel Makarim, the deputy of the Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedal) said yesterday.

Executives of the 100 or so companies who took part in this briefing will sign the pledge on Sept. 5 at the office of the State Minister of Environment. Nabiel yesterday met with the last batch of company executives.

Companies invited were those known to produce hazardous waste in considerable volume, Bapedal's director of hazardous waste, Masneliarti, said.

These companies are given 60 days "grace period" starting from Sept. 5 to absorb and adjust their operations in accordance with the regulations. Beyond that, the government will impose sanctions on those who fail to comply.

According to Bapedal officials, the commitment itself is not legally binding and is more of a moral obligation, but the government has the means to take companies to court if they fail to comply with the regulations.

Two sets of documents have been prepared by the government. One commits companies which produce hazardous waste to manage emissions in accordance with the regulations. Another is for companies to state that they do not produce any hazardous waste.

"It's up to you but please do not let inspectors find different conditions (if the second choice is taken)," said Nabiel.

The 1995 ruling on hazardous and toxic waste management defines the categories hazardous and toxic waste, and lists the obligations of the waste-related players: the producer, processor, collector, and transporter of the waste.

All companies must also open their plants to any visiting Bapedal official. "Bapedal officials with clear identities must be received by the management at any time," Masneliarti said.

Makarim explained that the seemingly burdensome task of filing seven forms for waste delivery is necessary to identify responsible parties in cases of waste leakage or spills.

One company executive said the introduction of the rule was too fast. "It is good that they stress partnership between government and companies, instead of only delivering sanctions, but I didn't expect that the regulation would be implemented this fast," he said.

The rule lists requirements for land fills and incinerators, and temporary storage of hazardous waste.

It also lists hazardous wastes from non-specific sources as well as those from specific sources.

"If the waste you produce is not listed here, you should arrange for a toxicology test," Makarim told the company executives. (anr)