We are reviewing the thermal incinerator facility, (developed) to destroy the waste into ashes to reduce piles of waste and achieve zero percent residue
Labuan Bajo, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - The Environment and Forestry Ministry has urged regional authorities to optimize the use of the thermal incinerator installed at Warloka Landfill in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai district, East Nusa Tenggara, to address the issue of waste.



"We are reviewing the thermal incinerator facility, (developed) to destroy the waste into ashes to reduce piles of waste and achieve zero percent residue," Deputy Minister for Environment and Forestry Alue Dohong said during a visit to the landfill on Friday.



The development of the thermal incinerator in the district—the home of super-priority tourism destination Labuan Bajo—is being prioritized because waste issues can discourage tourists and ruin the beautiful natural landscape of the tourist attraction, he added.


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The deputy minister said that the thermal incinerator, operated for the full 13-hour cycle, can process up to 13 tons of waste produced in Labuan Bajo daily into 10 percent residue, which would relieve the landfill capacity.



The thermal incinerator’s operation will also help reduce the piles of waste that could pollute the environment and the sea, he added.



"As Labuan Bajo consists of islands, we hope no waste will pollute the sea," Dohong said.



The deputy minister expressed the hope that the regional authority would optimize the facility by assigning the operational budget for the thermal incinerator after it is handed over to the regional authority soon.



The high operational cost due to the utilization of a diesel fuel-based generator to run the facility can be reduced by up to 30 percent if the facility is powered by electricity, he pointed out.

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Meanwhile, head of the West Manggarai District Environment, Housing, Residential Area, and Land Office, Sebastianus Wantung, committed to optimizing the facility and preparing the regional budget for meeting the operational fee.



"We also have 13 armadas fully capable of transporting waste daily," he informed.



The regional authority is also committed to optimizing the central government's assistance to bolster tourism activity in Labuan Bajo, he added.


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Translator: Fransiska MN, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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