Mas Jos: A solution to stop bulky waste ending up in rivers

Yogyakarta (ANTARA) – Mattresses, furniture and various other household items are part of our everyday needs. But when these items are damaged or no longer used, we often face the question: where should we dispose of them?

Bulky waste cannot always be collected by ordinary household cleaning services. As a result, some residents have difficulty getting rid of these used items. Many end up dumping them in rivers, polluting the environment.

In Yogyakarta, the issue is being addressed through the Masyarakat Jogja Olah Sampah (Mas Jos) service. Launched by the local Environment Agency (DLH), the programme provides free collection for residents and creates opportunities to reprocess reusable waste into useful goods.

Mas Jos is a rapid-response team established to help the public manage bulky waste that is difficult to collect through ordinary cleaning services.

Yogyakarta City Environment Agency head Rajwan Taufiq said the idea for the service arose after large household waste was found in rivers. Items such as mattresses, pillows and furniture cannot be carried by the waste transporters who usually serve the public.

“Initially, we found large household waste in the river that could not be collected by waste transporters. At the time, the most common items were mattresses, pillows, furniture and so on,” Rajwan said.

Through Mas Jos, residents can request a collection of bulky waste by staff. To handle it, the agency works with third parties or waste-processing partners (offtakers) to recycle items that can still be used.