"This regulation will be the basis for better garbage handling," Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government has issued a regulation requiring sorting of garbage materials before they are sent to landfill sites.
"This regulation will be the basis for better garbage handling," Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya said here on Thursday.
The new government regulation No. 81/2012 on household garbage management was issued last month, four years after the issuance of Law No. 18/2008 on garbage management.
"We are all required to separate garbage materials," Indonesian Deputy Environment Minister Masnellyarti pointed out.
Citing Article 17 of the regulation, she stated that separation of garbage materials must be done at the sources of origin, whether it be housing complexes or commercial and industrial areas.
"So, people are no longer allowed to burn garbage," Masnellyarti said, adding that garbage separation facilities must be available in all residential areas, including apartments.
"Garbage materials must be separated at least into five groups: hazardous and poisonous materials and wastes; degradable materials; reuseable materials; recyclable materials; and `others. Garbage collection containers must be according labelled," she explained.
However, Masnellyarti noted, the new regulation made no mention of sanctions for violators.
"However, the sanctions will be detailed in a new ministerial regulation or bylaw," she said.
"As regards joint garbage management or inter-district or inter-city transportation of garbage, district or city administrations may ask provincial administrations to provide collection centres and garbage transportation means," Masnellyarti stated.
She also urged all local governments to develop landfill sites using eco-friendly principles.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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