'Waste should be recycled into fertilizer for farmers'

'Waste should be recycled into fertilizer for farmers'

Environmental concerns have become the main consideration for
Bekasi municipal administration not to extend the use of Bantar
Gebang dump site for Jakarta's 6,000 tons of daily waste. Jakarta
Governor Sutiyoso called on the City Sanitation Agency to prepare
waste treatment facilities within only two months. The Jakarta
Post talked to some residents on the issue.

Dona, 33, is a housewife living in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta,
with her family:

I see many people in a traditional market nearby throw garbage
on the streets and sometimes into the river. Such habits not only
bring waste problems but also causes floods particularly in the
rainy season.

I don't agree that Bantar Gebang should be closed. How should
we manage our waste? Also, what will happen to the scavengers who
have been depending on the waste? They might lose their source of
income.

It's hard to suggest the proper solution for the waste
problem.

Maybe, burning household waste is the only possible temporary
solution.

I think city residents must reduce the use of non-degradable
waste such as plastics. At least, it will minimize the negative
impact of the waste crises.

I also call on Governor Sutiyoso to take responsiblity and
find a solution for the waste problem. Otherwise, he must step
down as he fails to manage the garbage problem. It's time for him
to be humble to the public.

Dedi, 20, is a street sweeper in Blok M, South Jakarta. He
lives in Kebayoran, South Jakarta:

I have no idea what to do to anticipate the waste crisis. I
think the city administration should be responsible to solve the
solution.

I have worked as a street sweeper for two years. My only
concern is to clean and collect garbage in my allocated area.

I don't want the governor to blame the City Sanitation Agency
on the matter. Why blame the city residents for their
carelessness in dumping their waste?

Asrofi, 34, is a food vendor in Gandaria, South Jakarta. He
lives nearby with his relatives:

I think the closure of Bantar Gebang is a kind of revenge by
the evicted people. Maybe they ran away there and persuaded the
local people to demand the closure of the dump site.

Waste problem is not easy. I think the governor must pick a
certain location to burn the waste as a temporary solution
although we will also face fire hazards and pollution. But that's
the only possible thing to do for the time being.

Or the city administration could campaign on the environmental
care to the public in a bid to minimize the possible waste
crisis.

It is time to consider that the waste should have been
recycled into bio-degradable fertilizer which will be useful for
farmers.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.