Solid waste to be recycled

SEMARANG, Central Java: The administration will soon build a solid waste recycling industry near the Jatibarang landfill in Mijen subdistrict, Antara reported yesterday.

"The industry is needed as the city produces 4,900 cubic meters of solid waste per day," said Miswan, head of the monitoring and supervision division of Semarang's cleaning service unit.

He said of the total garbage collected, 68.14 percent consists of organic, biodegradable waste. The rest of the garbage is inorganic, including metal, wood, rubber and plastic, which needs between 15 and 30 years to break down naturally.

"Therefore, the most effective alternative is to set up an industry that recycles inorganic solid waste," he said.

He added that the World Bank has been asked to finance the project through the Integrated City Infrastructure Development Program (P3KT). (swe)