Director general of garbage, waste, and hazardous and toxic materials (B3) management at the ministry, Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, said that the islands of Sumatra and Java-Bali see the highest number of travelers compared to other regions in Indonesia.
"These islands will be very crowded with travelers. We are worried that the rest areas will overflow with waste," she added while inspecting a waste sorting facility at Pulo Gebang Terminal, East Jakarta, on Tuesday.
She said that the ministry has projected that, during the homecoming period, the amount of waste generated will reach 49,520 tons over a span of two weeks.
The waste will come from leftover food and plastic waste packaging for food and drinks found at every stop point or along the homecoming route, she added.
"Therefore, we are reminding the public to control their waste. Including by limiting the production of waste, using recyclable products, and also avoiding single-use plastics," she said.
In addition, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has issued a Circular of the Minister of Environment and Forestry Number 02 of 2023 concerning waste management during the 2023 Eid al-Fitr.
Ratnawati said the circular aims to strengthen the commitment and active role of local governments in carrying out waste reduction and handling to reduce waste accumulation at waste processing sites.
Besides strengthening public participation to reduce waste through the implementation of Ramadan Minimum Garbage, Eid al-Fitr Minimum Garbage, and Homecoming Minimum Garbage initiatives, the ministry is also seeking the commitment and active role of business actors in efforts to reduce and handle waste, she informed.
The circular covers waste reduction and handling, communication, dissemination of information, and education of the public as well as the engagement of mass media—print, electronic, and social media—regarding waste management during Ramadan, homecoming, and Eid al-Fitr, she added.
"Besides the implementation of campaigns, we are also disseminating information through announcements in all rest areas to monitor the waste," she said.
Related news: Homecoming travelers must follow health protocols: minister
Related news: Implement healthy living behavior during homecoming: Ministry
Translator: Sugiharto Purnama, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
