Java Sea, world's biggest trash dump

Java Sea, world's biggest trash dump

BOGOR, West Java: The Java Sea would soon become a giant
garbage dump unless the government got serious about improving
its waste management, an expert said on Tuesday.

Head of the Maritime and Coastal Resources Studies Tridoyo
Kusumastanto suggested that both individual and industrial
dumpers should learn from scavengers who take solid waste out
instead of dumping it into rivers, canals and the sea.

There have not been any studies to assess the amount of waste
polluting the Java sea, but Tridoyo estimated the figure to be
some 40 tons per day.

He said it would take time to change the culture here of
throwing garbage into waterways and other common areas, but the
campaign against river and sea pollution should be pushed.

Although the sea can naturally process some waste, its
capability did have limits, Tridoyo warned. -- JP