The Basirih TPA, built in 1997 with support from the World Bank, faces major challenges in its management system as a result of carelessness of the previous management, he said in a statement on Sunday.
"TPA is not merely a landfill. Instead, it must also be part of a more effective management system. We must ensure that the waste management not only depends on final disposal but it gets started from reduction at the sources," he said.
The latest data show that the conversion of waste generation in Banjarmasin and Barito Kuala is recorded at around 0.85 kilograms per person per day. This reality requires large cost management, Nurofiq added.
His ministry will take concrete steps in handling the Basirih TPA, including issuing a letter to stop open dumping activities at TPA which will be enforced in Banjarmasin and other regions in Indonesia.
During his visit to Banjarmasin and Banjarbaru on Saturday, the minister urged regional heads to implement stricter and more sustainable waste governance.
"We cannot only rely on the government to handle waste management. Communities must also actively manage waste while industries must be involved as part of the solution. The government must tighten regulations for all parties to carry out their responsibilities," he remarked.
He emphasized that the main strategy in improving waste management must start from upstream, including waste reduction at community level and commercial areas, with stricter policies for sectors such as universities, markets, housing, hotels, restaurants, and cafes.
His party also pushes the strengthening of waste sorting system to reduce the amount of waste entering the landfill along with the involvement of industry in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, by placing companies as the main off-takers in purchasing cardboard and plastic waste, resulting in more recycled materials absorbed into the industry.
The ministry also encourages local governments to work closely with communities in building awareness regarding waste management as a shared responsibility as it is not just the government's job, he said.
Related news: Education key to waste management, minister says
Related news: Form waste management task force: President Prabowo to AHY
Translator: Prisca Triferna, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
