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