Waste Sorting from Home Facilitates Easier Waste Management

Waste management remains a pressing issue, including in Bogor City. Tons of waste produced continuously burden the Galuga Final Disposal Site (TPA). However, waste management becomes significantly easier through the waste sorting from home initiative.

Collaborative Efforts to Address Waste Challenges

Various waste management efforts are being intensified, not only by the government but also by movements from organizations and communities concerned about this situation.

One such effort is being made by the Rekam Nusantara Foundation through the implementation of the Plastic Smart Cities (PSC) program. This program aims to sort and process waste into products with economic value.

Program PSC: Transforming Waste into a Circular Economy

The Communications Manager of Rekam Nusantara Foundation stated that PSC is expected to transform waste problems into a circular economic center for the community.

"Through the PSC program, WWF Indonesia and Rekam Nusantara Foundation are building the Mekarwangi TPS3R and revitalizing the Bantar Kemang TPST. This program is a form of support from the Bogor City Government, WWF Indonesia, and Rekam Nusantara Foundation for the programs initiated by the Ciliwung Watershed Task Force in Bogor City," he said.

PSC: A Global Movement to Reduce Plastic Waste

PSC is a global movement initiated by WWF to reduce plastic waste accumulation by 30% by 2025. Besides Indonesia, the movement is also being implemented in several other countries, such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and others.

Education and Assistance for Waste Sorting at the Household Level

Education was provided to 12 priority RTs, then expanded to 42 other priority RTs, resulting in 60 priority RTs located along the Ciliwung River. In addition to understanding, they were also assisted and provided with education on how to sort household waste correctly so that it is no longer disposed of in the Ciliwung River.

Waste Processing and Product Creation

The sorted waste is then collected at the Bantar Kemang Integrated Waste Disposal Site (TPST) in East Bogor District and the Reduce Reuse Recycle (3R) Waste Disposal Site (TPS) in Tanah Sareal District, a collaboration between the Rekam Nusantara Foundation and the Bogor City Environmental Service (DLH).

"Waste that still has value will be resold to the plastic waste processing industry, while organic waste is managed using biopore holes and maggot cultivation. Low-value waste is processed into products that we produce at the Mekarwangi TPS3R using two machines provided by WWF Indonesia," said Irwan.

The products generated from this processing include kaso that can be used as raw material for infiltration wells and blocks. This has significantly reduced the amount of waste that ends up at the Galuga TPA.

Benefits of Waste Sorting from Home

Een Irawan Putra, Secretary of the Ciliwung Naturalization Task Force and Executive Director of the Rekam Nusantara Foundation, said that the waste brought to the TPS3R is truly sorted, especially inorganic waste.

According to him, waste that has been sorted from home greatly assists the Bogor City Government in finding solutions to the waste problem, which has now become a global issue.

"When we can all be wise about our waste, it will help the teams in Bantar Kemang and Mekarwangi focus on managing both high-value and low-value plastic waste. Low-value waste can be processed into a valuable product," he said.

Waste Management as an Economic Opportunity

The waste management facilities in Bogor City are expected to become one of the solutions that can generate economic income for the community.

"The plastic waste problem is transformed into an opportunity by inviting the community to participate in solving it with economic incentives. This can be an inspiring example for other cities in reducing the volume of waste taken to the TPA," he explained.

Community Empowerment through Waste Sorting Education

Adi Saiman, an activist of the Ciliwung River Naturalization Task Force, said that assistance at the RT level is crucial because it is the smallest group in the community structure. This is also done to determine the concept of waste sorting so that the target is achieved personally and collectively.

Adi said that in the assistance provided, each RT will be assisted by a Task Force member. Their task is to provide education and practice in waste sorting from home and to continuously monitor the activity.

"Changing the habit of sorting waste is indeed not easy. Especially in housing estates. Sometimes we have difficulty because the homeowners are not there. Although it is not 100% yet, currently around 50% of residents sort their waste from home," he explained.

Benefits Felt Directly by Residents

These benefits are also being felt directly by residents. For example, in RT 5 RW 5, Baranangsiang Village, East Bogor District, a resident named Neni Nuraeni said that waste sorting education has brought about significant changes in her household.

"The household waste that used to be scattered and mixed is now more organized because it is sorted. This method is beneficial because it can be recycled and generate financial benefits for us," she said.

PSC Program Supports Bogor's Green Economy

The PSC program is aligned with Bogor City's development plan to become a leader in the green economy. Bogor Mayor Bima Arya said that waste management and reduction programs can be a blessing for the community and provide economic incentives.

"We encourage a change in public behavior towards waste management in a good and proper way. Bogor City can be a good example in the future, showing how we collaborate in handling waste problems in Bogor City," he said.

Support and Hope for the PSC Program

The Head of the Bogor City Environmental Service (DLH), Denni Wismanto, welcomed the collaboration and expressed hope that the PSC program can continue to run and be utilized even better.

"The hope is that efforts to reduce waste at the source can continue. In several RTs that have been provided with infrastructure, such as organic and inorganic waste bins, it is hoped that there will be education for the community so that waste is sorted from the source. This way, the waste that is brought to the TPS3R is already sorted and can be utilized better," he hoped. (Fat)