Companies pledge to manage waste
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)