Jakarta (ANTARA) - Five regions in Indonesia received the 6th ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable Cities (ESC) Award and the 5th Certificate of Recognition on Tuesday, for the implementation of sustainable environmental management.

"Indonesia appreciates the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable Cities (ESC) Award and the 5th Certificate of Recognition. We hope more ASEAN cities will meet the assessment criteria for this award," the Deputy for Climate Change Management and Carbon Economic Value Governance of the Environment Ministry, Ary Soedijanto, said on Wednesday.

The regions receiving the awards are Banyumas District, Malang City, Bandung City, Padang City, and Ciamis District.

The awards are given to cities and regencies in ASEAN deemed successful in realizing sustainable environmental management based on key indicators such as clean air, clean water, and clean land.

New indicators also include urban biodiversity, green open spaces, and the implementation of a circular economy.

In detail, Banyumas District received the ASEAN ESC Award for its success in innovative and inclusive community-based waste management, with 67 active waste banks, the implementation of the 3R principle, and the production of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF).

The region also manages 77 percent of its waste generation. Through innovations such as TPS3R, maggot cultivation, composting, and environmentally friendly procurement, Banyumas has become a model for waste management in Southeast Asia and a regional learning destination.

Meanwhile, Malang City received a certificate of recognition in the clean air category for large cities, where its government regularly conducts vehicle emission tests, implements reforestation by planting 518 trees, and reduces pollutant concentrations to meet international standards. The city's Air Quality Index reached 88.36, positively impacting public health, economic productivity, and the quality of education.

Furthermore, Bandung City received a certificate of recognition in the clean water category for large cities for its success in improving access to clean water and sanitation. Some 91.68 percent of households have access to improved drinking water, while 82.55 percent of households and industries are connected to the national wastewater system.

Bandung also developed an innovative approach to reclaiming springs into multifunctional public spaces. This achievement significantly reduced diarrhea cases and established Bandung as a leading city in ASEAN for water management.

For Padang City, a certificate of recognition is given for its circular economy category for large cities by encouraging the transformation of waste management into economically valuable resources.

Through waste banks, maggot cultivation, and the Environmentally Friendly Procurement of Goods and Services program, the city produces widely marketed recycled products.

In addition, the Integrated Waste Management Facility (TPST) with a capacity of 200 tons/day at the Air Dingin Landfill Site (TPA) is capable of producing co-firing fuel for the cement industry, and additional TPSTs based on compost, bioconversion, and pyrolysis are under construction.

Lastly, the Ciamis District received a certificate of recognition in the Clean Land category for small cities for the reduction of waste sent to landfills from 45 trucks per day in 2019 to nine trucks per day in 2024.

The local government is promoting 298 Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Waste Management Facilities (TPS3R) and waste banks, including a community-based central waste bank.

Innovative programs such as Sedekah Sampah (Trash Alms), a ban on sacrificial plastic bags, and motorcycle incentives for top recyclers have successfully increased community participation.

The district is also developing a methane gas-to-energy project at the Banjaranyar and Ciminyak TPA.

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