Waste Disposal Site with Modern Processing Technology is Required, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi inspects Banjar Bakula Regional Waste Disposal Site in Banjar Baru, South Kalimantan, Friday (7/2). (Photo by: BPMI)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo highlighted the need for a waste disposal site to have modern technology-based processing facilities and good management.

“Waste will continue to pile up in line with the increase in our population, therefore this kind of landfill is necessary,” President Jokowi stated at the inauguration of Banjar Bakula Regional Waste Disposal Site in Banjar Baru, South Kalimantan, Friday (7/2).

The habit of littering, the President said, has caused detrimental disasters, be it unpleasant odors, diseases, environmental pollution such as water pollution, as well as floods.

President Jokowi acknowledged the difficulty in waste management, especially within the scope of one province. “But I really appreciate this disposal site which involves several regencies/cities in South Kalimantan. I can tell that this site functions well,” he said.

According to the President, the regional landfill spans in a total area of 15 hectares and is able to accommodate 790 tons of waste which today has reached 1.5 meters per cubic. The landfill, he stated, has served the people in Banjar Bakula Metropolitan which consists of  Banjarmasin City, Banjar Baru City, Banjar Regency, Baritokuala Regency, and Tanahlaut Regency.

The landfill, President Jokowi went on to say, is also equipped with water treatment technology to prevent pollution of odors in the surrounding area.

The incoming waste, he added, has been through processing so that 30% of the waste and its water are free of harmful chemicals. (HIM/EN)

Translated by: Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Reviewed by: Mia M. Bonaedy