english.jpnn.com, JAWA BARAT - Residents of West Java produce more than 24,000 tons of waste every day, the West Java Environment Agency has reported.
The West Java administration seeks to handle waste by increasing the role of waste banks and mobilizing residents to manage waste.
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"We also hope for public awareness to help solve this waste problem. We are the ones who produce waste, we are also the ones to solve it," said West Java Environment Agency head Prima Mayaningtyas at the commemoration of the 2022 National Waste Care Day in Bandung, Tuesday (8/3).
Prima said that there were already 1,616 waste banks in the West Java region.
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Apart from sorting and processing waste, waste banks can also mobilize residents to handle their household waste.
"Not all of [the waste banks] are active. Yes, there are ups and downs," said Prima.
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She said that local government was also collaborating with digital platforms such as Octopus, MySmash, Greeny, and Pointtrash to tackle the waste problem.
West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil stated the need for integrated waste management from upstream to downstream.
"This is in order to provide economic benefits, resources, and a healthier environment," said Ridwan in his written remarks read by the regional assistant for economic affairs and development at the West Java secretariat, Taufiq BS.
He said that the increase in population, changes in people's consumption patterns, and the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to the waste volume spike in the West Java region.
"In 2020, the population of West Java reaches 49.9 million people with waste generated reaching 24,790 million tons per day," he said.
It is estimated that only 10 to 15 percent of plastic waste were recycled. The rest were stored in landfills or thrown into the environment. (antara/mcr20/jpnn)
This news has been broadcast on JPNN.com with the title: Setiap Hari Warga Jawa Barat Hasilkan 24 Ribu Ton Sampah