Regions may handle own trash in 2006

Regions may handle own trash in 2006

JAKARTA: The city administration is looking into the possibility
of allowing every municipality to handle its own waste management
needs amid lingering problems the administration is facing with
its only operational dump, in Bantar Gebang in Bekasi.

"We are doing a review of the master plan on waste management
in the capital. Hopefully, we can finalize it in July," Governor
Sutiyoso said over the weekend.

The master plan would become a reference for waste management
in each municipality.

The administration had earlier planned to look into the
development of high-tech waste treatment facilities in its five
municipalities and one regency next year.

Jakarta has tried to treat some of its 6,000 tons of daily
trash at a waste treatment plant owned by a private company in
Bojong, Bogor. However, the plant has yet to become operational
amid militant opposition from local residents. --JP