Zulhas views Jakarta's waste sorting initiative as a national example

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) believes that the waste sorting movement launched by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government could serve as a national example for other regions in the country to address household waste issues through the separation of organic, inorganic, and hazardous waste.

“We give our appreciation and recognition to what the Governor is doing (regarding the waste sorting movement) because this will become an inspiration or example for regions across the country,” Zulkifli Hasan said in Jakarta on Sunday, while attending the Waste Sorting Movement event alongside the proclamation of Jakarta’s 499th anniversary.

Zulhas added that the activity is expected to minimise the waste discarded to disposal sites, as it can be utilised before being thrown away.

“The heaviest burden is indeed household waste. Sorting, sorting,” Zulhas said.

Zulhas stated that waste remains a common enemy at present, so the government is striving to turn waste into something beneficial.

He explained that once sorted, waste can be utilised and become a hope for the community, one of which is by turning waste into raw material for electricity.

“Waste is our enemy. The enemy of Jakarta yesterday and today. Tomorrow, after the Governor’s announcement, waste will start being sorted. That is an extraordinary movement, so we will resolve the waste issue and turn it into hope and lighting electricity for Jakarta,” he said.

Previously, DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that the waste sorting programme from the source is expected to reduce the burden on waste disposal at the Integrated Waste Disposal Site (TPST) Bantargebang.

“Officially, the Jakarta Government is holding the waste sorting activity in accordance with the governor’s instructions. And this activity is not half-hearted because it is running simultaneously in the five cities and also in the Thousand Islands to carry out waste sorting,” Pramono said.

According to him, when the waste sorting programme runs effectively, the waste problems that have occurred in Jakarta so far can be handled quickly because if organic and inorganic waste is separated, it can certainly reduce the burden of waste disposal to TPST Bantargebang, and the waste sent later will only be the residue.