Indonesia – The Indonesian government has called on all of its 500-plus cities and districts to present a so-called ‘recycling master plan’ which should specify how each intends to reduce, recycle and reuse. It is also demanding that they develop a cohesive strategy on the separation, collection and transport of household waste.
The new chapter in Indonesian recycling was signalled by recently-announced regulations from the country’s Environment Ministry. Cities and districts are no longer allowed to use open dumping sites for household waste but are required to construct ‘sanitary landfills’, according to Masnellyarti Hilman, deputy to the Environment Minister. The modern landfills will have waste separated into hazardous, biodegradable, recyclable and reusable streams.
The new rules also say that regular pick-up times must be scheduled and that companies must embrace biodegradable packaging or encourage consumers to return their packaging for recycling. According to Mrs Hilman, the enhanced legislation will also impose a ban on the large-scale burning of household refuse – something of a tradition over the years, especially in the nation’s capital Jakarta.
Implementing the rules as well as teaching environmentally-conscious behaviour will pose ‘quite a challenge’ and will potentially ‘take years’, acknowledges Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya. Firm recycling legislation has become necessary now that more Indonesians are moving to the big cities and creating more litter. ‘We must start now as it involves a change in lifestyle and culture,’ urged Mr Kambuaya.
Source: The Straits Times
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