Painted trash bins expected to raise waste awareness

By Stevie Emilia

JAKARTA (JP): Can attractive trash cans move people to dispose of their garbage properly? Yes, according to the organizer of a trash-can painting competition held at the Senayan sport complex on Sunday.

The competition, sponsored by Fanta Orange in cooperation with the city's sanitation agency, was held not only to mark the soft drink's relaunch here but mainly to turn Jakarta into a fun and clean city.

One of the competition's judges, singer Nugie, said, "This competition will, at least, help people to remind themselves about the need to keep the environment clean."

"But, I think, the awareness to keep a clean environment should start with every individual," he added.

Jakarta's more than nine million residents produce 26,750 cubic meters of trash every day; the city sanitary agency can only transport 80 percent of that to dumping sites.

Environmentalists do not blame the sanitary agency for failing to clear up all of the waste, but the people, who lack an awareness and positive attitude toward healthy and clean living.

At present, many residents still dump trash directly into rivers without understanding the consequences of these actions. That garbage will not only cause a wide spread of diseases, such as diarrhea due to bad-quality water, but during rainy seasons, it also contributes to heavy flooding citywide.

But it is not a simple matter to change the attitude of over nine million people in a single day.

And the competition's organizer expected that the change could be started by teenagers.

PT Coca Cola Indonesia's deputy marketing director, Titie Sadarini, said, "This competition, therefore, is aimed at providing fun and a positive activity for teenagers, giving them a sense of belonging, understanding and appreciation for the importance of keeping our city clean."

About 150 teenagers from all over the city took part in the painting competition, interpreting the idea of fun, Fanta Orange and a clean city into their works.

Some contestants simply painted happy faces of children with bright colors on the orange trash cans. But others painted the city, including skyscrapers, busy streets and even green gardens.

Ten winners were selected by a panel of judges led by noted caricaturist Dwi Koen.

"I selected the winners based on the originality of their ideas. I still find it amazing that those children, who used to draw with pencils on paper, can paint in such a difficult media. I find it hard myself," Dwi Koen told The Jakarta Post.

Hari Hariyadi, 18, was among the lucky winners.

"I just painted what I had in mind at the time, no preparation whatsoever," the student of business management at LPK Widyabhakti Tania in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta, told the Post after the event.

As a participant, was he aware of the need to keep the city clean?

"I think, the awareness to keep the city clean should start with each person. We can't expect all people to do the same thing at the same time. But if we start it, it can be a good example for others," said Hari, who even suggested the city impose strict rules on dumping trash improperly, just like in Singapore.

Singapore, internationally known as a clean city, tightened its laws on littering in 1992.

For instance, first-time violators are fined US$80, while the second-timer is fined double and so on. Violators, excluding those under 16 years old, are also required to clean up public places under supervision on Sundays. Violators under 16 are reported to their parents or school principals and could be required to attend counseling sessions.

"From TV, I know that we have such regulations here but I don't think they work," Hari said.

As far back as 1972, Jakarta's administration has imposed a penalty on those littering in public places. Still, just like other regulations, it is ignored by residents while officials are too busy to implement it.

Under the city's regulation, those found littering in public places can be sentenced up to three months, or pay a Rp 50,000 fine.

Each of the competition's winners took away a Rp 500,000 cash prize, which was presented by PT Coca Cola Indonesia's managing director, John Murphy.

A Trisakti academy for graphic design student, Basuki, 19, said: "I will treat my friends." Basuki and his two friends from the same school won the contest.

But other winners may have a better plan. "I will save it," said Karina Tungari, 12, a junior high school student.

The decorated trash cans will be placed in public places by the city sanitary agency.