Unravelling the Waste Problem from the Source of Life

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Every day, Indonesia produces millions of kilograms of waste, much of which is never properly handled. Some is burned behind houses, some washes into rivers and seas, while the rest quietly accumulates in final disposal sites whose capacity is becoming increasingly critical. Amid this situation, there is a shocking fact that by 2026, the national waste accumulation is estimated to reach 51.8 million tonnes, yet around 75% of it will still not be managed properly. These figures are not merely environmental statistics but a depiction of how modern lifestyles are slowly creating new threats to health, cities, and Indonesia’s future development. That is why, as the government begins to assert stronger measures on national waste management, this issue can no longer be viewed merely as a matter of cleanliness but as a major gamble concerning the quality of life for future generations. The government, through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Environmental Control Agency, is beginning to show greater seriousness in addressing the problem. The Minister of Environment and Forestry, who is also the Head of the Environmental Control Agency, Moh Jumhur Hidayat, emphasised that the state will use various instruments and authorities to ensure waste management is carried out more seriously and sustainably. This statement was delivered at the online discussion forum “The Future of Solid Waste Management in Indonesia: Building Sustainable Governance” organised by the Great Institute in Jakarta recently. The message conveyed by the government actually highlights one important thing: the waste issue has now transformed into a national strategic agenda. For years, waste issues often only surfaced when floods occurred, mountains of rubbish went viral on social media, or final disposal sites experienced fires and landslides. Yet, the impacts are far broader than just visual environmental filth. Waste that is not managed properly can pollute water sources, damage marine ecosystems, worsen air quality, and increase disease threats to the community. Quality of Development In the long term, waste problems also affect the quality of urban economies, the tourism sector, public health, and even community productivity. Therefore, waste management is directly related to the quality of a nation’s development. The Environment Minister reminded that the government targets 63.54% of national waste to be managed by 2026, increasing to 100% by 2029. This target is certainly not an easy task, given Indonesia’s geographical challenges, population density, and the very diverse regional management capabilities. However, interestingly, the government is beginning to emphasise that solutions to waste problems can no longer rely solely on downstream approaches, such as final processing sites or simply increasing the number of waste transport fleets.