Five Regional Leaders in South Kalimantan Receive 2026 Waste Management Awards
Five regional leaders in South Kalimantan province received national awards as the Best Mentors in Waste Management Performance for 2026, presented by the Minister of Environment, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq.
The award ceremony took place at the Balai Kartini Building in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 25th, coinciding with the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) on Waste Management 2026, as well as the commemoration of National Waste Day 2026. The five regional leaders from South Kalimantan who received the awards were the Governor of South Kalimantan, Muhidin, along with the Regents of Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Hulu Sungai Regency, Central Hulu Sungai Regency, and Tabalong Regency.
The Minister of Environment, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, expressed his appreciation for the participation of provinces, regencies, and cities in Indonesia in waste management efforts. He stated that Indonesia is currently facing a waste emergency, with the potential waste reaching 141 thousand tons per day, posing a shared challenge to address.
“The waste management target set by Bappenas for 2026 is 63% of the current 25%. With this condition, it is necessary for regions to actively operate facilities in their respective areas and intensify education, communication, and socialization to the public,” Hanif emphasized.
The Ministry of Environment aims to end the practice of open dumping of waste by 2029. Currently, there are still 481 landfills throughout Indonesia that use the open dumping system in waste management.
The Vice Governor of South Kalimantan, Hasnuryadi Sulaiman, stated that the award serves as motivation for the province, together with the regencies and cities, to create a clean and waste-free environment. “We request the support of all residents of Banua to work together in waste management efforts, as directed by Mr. President Prabowo, towards a safe, healthy, clean, and beautiful Indonesia (ASRI),” said Hasnuryadi.
Meanwhile, the National Coordination Meeting on Waste Management 2026 was held in conjunction with the commemoration of National Waste Day 2025, with the theme of Collaboration for a Safe, Healthy, Clean, and Beautiful Indonesia (ASRI). The meeting, which aims to accelerate the resolution of waste problems comprehensively from upstream to downstream, was also attended by several governors, regents, and mayors from across Indonesia.
Several ministers served as keynote speakers at the national coordination meeting, including the Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, the Minister of Population and Family Development, and the Head of the National Population and Family Planning Agency, Wihaji, and the Deputy Minister of Villages, Riza Patria. (E-2)