Garbage Piles in Pulogebang Raise Fears of Motorists Slipping and Falling
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Towering piles of rubbish overflowing onto the roadside at the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle Waste Processing Site (TPS 3R) on Rawa Bebek Road, Pulogebang, East Jakarta, are causing motorists to fear slipping and falling due to the slippery conditions.
“Actually, I pass through here to take a shortcut from the end of Menteng. But I’m scared because the plastic rubbish and water can make riders fall. If you’re unaware of the conditions, you’ll definitely be shocked, especially if driving fast,” said one motorist, Agus (40), in Pulogebang, East Jakarta, on Thursday.
Rubbish piles were visible, reaching heights of around two to three metres and spilling onto the roadside.
Although not completely blocking Rawa Bebek Road, the area around the TPS 3R was filled with scattered plastic rubbish extending several metres from the site.
Additionally, rubbish was present along the edge of the BKT, with some falling into the canal area.
Several vehicles passing by had to slow down due to carts and rubbish trucks preparing to unload or collect waste.
Even the pungent smell could be detected several metres before reaching the TPS 3R.
The rubbish, dominated by household waste, appeared wet and emitted a foul odour.
Agus mentioned that the rubbish buildup around the BKT has occurred over the past few weeks.
“I don’t remember exactly when, but it’s been several weeks. Hopefully, it gets cleared soon to make it comfortable; don’t wait until it goes viral,” said Agus.
Meanwhile, a waste collection worker in the area, Rohmat, said the buildup is due to the Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST) in Bantargebang not yet fully operational after a landslide.
“This is likely because Bantargebang isn’t normal yet. It was actually clean for a while, but it piled up again in the last one to two weeks,” said Rohmat.
Rohmat added that currently, there are four trucks operating to transport rubbish from the site to Bantargebang.
“As far as I know, there are four trucks. Normally, it can do eight trips, but if there’s a queue at Bantargebang, it can’t be that many,” said Rohmat.
He also noted that the TPS 3R accommodates rubbish from other areas, so the volume keeps increasing.
“Yes, rubbish from other areas is also dumped here, which is why it keeps piling up, while transportation is still limited,” said Rohmat.
Previously, the East Jakarta City Government encouraged waste sorting at the source, namely households, to reduce the burden of waste disposal at the TPST Bantargebang.
“The government is encouraging the public to start reducing waste volume and sorting it from the source, namely households, to manage disposal at the TPST Bantargebang,” said East Jakarta Mayor Munjirin at the Mayor’s Office, East Jakarta, on Tuesday (7/4).
He mentioned that his side is collaborating with the Ciracas Plastic Recycling Centre (PDUP) to manage inorganic waste.