Ibas urges public awareness on waste processing to protect the environment
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Deputy Speaker of the MPR RI, Edhie Baskoro “Ibas” Yudhoyono, is encouraging public awareness regarding waste processing to preserve the environment.
He emphasised that waste management is not merely a matter of cleanliness, but also a collective movement to maintain environmental sustainability, public health, and to stimulate the economy.
“If we do not begin to think about integrated waste management that prioritises cleanliness, health, and sustainability, then who else will?” Ibas stated in a statement received in Jakarta on Sunday.
He highlighted waste management through the Sidomakker 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Processing Site in Sidoharjo Village, Pacitan Regency, East Java, where household waste is processed into useful products.
The Sidomakmur 3R facility manages approximately five tonnes of waste every day. The operations are run independently by 14 people, most of whom are members of the youth community organisations (karang taruna) and the younger generation.
Waste management does not stop at sorting. Organic waste is processed into organic fertiliser and maggots for catfish cultivation, which supports the supply chain for the Free Nutritious Meal programme, while inorganic waste is repurposed into various economically valuable products.
According to Ibas, such innovations are part of developing a circular economy that can be further driven towards waste-to-energy utilisation and various other eco-friendly innovations in the future.
“I am proud because many young people are not ashamed to get involved in managing waste. They are protecting the environment while simultaneously earning an income and improving their welfare,” he said.
Therefore, Ibas invited the entire community to make a clean way of life a part of the national character.
“Let us build a culture of clean and healthy living as part of our national character. The Javanese have a very beautiful expression, ‘Resik kuwi sehat, sehat kuwi berkah.’ Cleanliness is health, health is a blessing,” he added.