Organic Waste Production Surges in West Bandung During Ramadan
Organic waste production in West Bandung Regency has experienced a significant increase throughout Ramadan. The volume increase is driven by rising household waste and waste from markets, such as vegetable scraps.
Imam Fauzi, Head of the Sanitation Service Unit at the Environmental Affairs Office (DLH) of West Bandung Regency, explained that the increase in waste production reaches approximately 60% of the total 680 tonnes of waste generated daily.
“Household organic waste is dominated by kitchen waste and food scraps from breaking fast and pre-dawn meals,” he said on Friday (13 March).
Furthermore, he continued, the emergence of seasonal food vendors during Ramadan also contributes to the increase in organic waste production. However, this situation is considered a normal annual occurrence.
“The increase in organic waste can reach around 10% compared to normal days. This is a trend that always occurs every year during Ramadan,” Imam said.
Despite the surge in organic waste production, he assured that its management remains effective thanks to collaboration with waste management activists, including maggot farming operators.
This is also related to the policy of the West Java Provincial Government, which prohibits dumping organic waste at the Sarimukti landfill. For this reason, regency and city governments are required to manage organic waste within their respective areas.
“We have already collaborated with waste activists to manage organic waste. Alhamdulillah, although there has been an increase, we can still manage it,” Imam explained.
He predicted that the increase in waste production will peak on Eid al-Fitr. In fact, not only organic waste but inorganic waste is also expected to increase.
“On Takbir Eve, we will position sanitation staff in areas that are likely to experience a surge in waste, such as Lembang, Cililin, Cihampelas, Padalarang, and several other subdistricts. Only on Eid al-Fitr itself will staff be given a day off,” he concluded.