'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.