On Eid al-Fitr Momentum, Bandung Mayor Farhan Urges Residents to Wisely Manage Waste
Waste has become a serious issue facing the Bandung City Government (Pemkot Bandung). Currently, daily waste production in Bandung City reaches 1,600 to 1,800 tonnes. The high volume of waste is a consequence of the dynamic social and economic activities of the community.
“Waste is the residue of our lives. Therefore, its management is a shared responsibility. The waste problem in Bandung City has attracted the attention of the central government, so serious and sustainable steps are needed,” said Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan after Eid Prayer at the City Hall Plaza, Bandung, on Saturday (21/3).
According to Farhan, Pemkot Bandung has developed various community participation-based programmes, from the neighbourhood level to strengthening sanitation officers. However, the main solution lies in changing community behaviour, particularly in sorting and recycling waste.
“Cleanliness is part of faith. So let us start with simple things, like sorting waste at home. I hope that the momentum of Eid al-Fitr can become the starting point for a cultural change towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable city. With togetherness and collective awareness, we are optimistic that Bandung City can overcome this problem,” he stated.
Farhan mentioned the integration of the Gorong-gorong Bersih (Gober) programme and the Petugas Pemilah dan Pengolah Sampah (Gaslah) programme as solutions to tackle the waste problem in Bandung City. The surge in waste during the Ramadan month has become a serious concern for Pemkot Bandung. Waste production was recorded to increase by up to 20 per cent, forcing the government to act quickly with various strategies, from intensive collection to environment-based programme innovations.
“This situation cannot be taken lightly, considering the capacity of the Final Disposal Site (TPA) which is increasingly burdened. As a medium-term solution, Pemkot is developing the integration of the Gaslah programme with the Gober programme,” he explained.
From this collaboration, a new concept called “Gaslah Sungai” will emerge, which specifically targets plastic waste in rivers and city waterways. “Gaslah focuses on organic waste, but later we will combine it with Gober and prepare a new concept, Gaslah Sungai, focusing on plastic waste in river flows. This programme is part of long-term efforts to reduce environmental pollution while strengthening the integrated waste management system in Bandung City,” Farhan revealed.
Amid the surge in waste volume, Pemkot Bandung is also implementing tactical measures by accelerating the collection rhythm. “During the three crucial days, waste collection is carried out every three hours to anticipate accumulation on the streets. However, this process still faces challenges, particularly the limited capacity of Temporary Disposal Sites (TPS) and the arrangement of distribution to the Sarimukti TPA which still depends on disposal quotas,” he added.