Ibas urges public awareness on waste processing to protect the environment

Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly Edhie Baskoro ‘Ibas’ Yudhoyono has urged the public to be more aware of the need to process waste in order to preserve the environment. He stressed that waste management is not merely a matter of cleanliness, but a collective movement to safeguard environmental sustainability, public health, and even to drive the economy. ‘If we do not start thinking about integrated waste management that prioritises cleanliness, health, and sustainability, then who will?’ Ibas said in a statement received in Jakarta on Sunday. He highlighted the waste management practices at the Sidomakmur Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (TPS 3R) facility in Sidoharjo Village, Pacitan Regency, East Java, where household waste is turned into useful products. The Sidomakmur TPS 3R facility processes around five tonnes of waste daily. Its operations are run independently by 14 people, most of whom are members of the local youth organisation and other young people. The waste processing does not stop at sorting. Organic waste is processed into organic fertiliser and maggots used as feed for catfish farming, which in turn supports the supply chain for the Free Nutritious Meals programme, while inorganic waste is repurposed into various economically valuable products. According to Ibas, such innovation is part of developing a circular economy that can be further advanced towards waste-to-energy utilisation and other environmentally friendly innovations. ‘I am proud because many young people are not embarrassed to get involved in waste processing. They are protecting the environment while also earning an income and improving their welfare,’ he said. He therefore invited the entire community to make a culture of cleanliness part of the national character. ‘Let us build a culture of cleanliness and health as part of our national character. The Javanese have a very good saying, ’Resik kuwi sehat, sehat kuwi berkah.’ Cleanliness is health, health is a blessing,’ he said.