Date Published: October 18th, 2024
Written by: Vania Dian Gunawan, edited by Charlene Octavian
Introduction
Global waste volumes are rising, worsening environmental issues. Waste contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 3.2% of total worldwide emissions. Additionally, the waste sector is the third-largest source of methane, a gas that is over 80x more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere and is responsible for nearly half of the 1℃ increases in global temperatures. This highlights the importance of an effective waste management system in reducing its negative impact on the environment and human health.
Waste Management System
A waste management system is a process organizations use to manage waste from its origin to final disposal efficiently. It involves handling waste at every stage, including collection, transportation, recycling, disposal, and monitoring. This applies to all types of waste—solid, liquid, and gaseous—including hazardous, industrial, and residential. The goal is to minimize the waste sent to landfills and repurpose it as a valuable resource. For example, plastic and glass can be recycled into new products.
Impact of Improper Waste Management
Improper waste management can have severe consequences for the environment and human health. The following are some of the key impacts:
- Land pollution: Improper waste disposal on soil leads to contamination, making the area hazardous for people and animals.
- Water Pollution: Waste not properly managed can contaminate oceans and other water bodies, increasing toxicity and spreading pollutants that can cause diseases.
- Air pollution: Improper waste disposal releases greenhouse gases like methane, contributing significantly to global climate change.
- Habitat destruction and biodiversity loss: Animals may ingest waste, causing harm or death, while toxic substances can accumulate up the food chain, threatening entire ecosystems and potentially leading to species extinction
- Waste disposal depletes resources and uses energy: Discarded materials that could be recycled or reused lead to higher emissions. Reducing waste and recycling helps conserve resources and lower environmental impact.
Waste Management in Indonesia
Waste management in Indonesia is a critical issue due to the country’s large population and rapid urbanization. Indonesia, with a population of 279 million, ranks 4th in the world for the most populous countries. More people also mean more waste generated. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry reported that in 2022, Indonesia generated 65.2 million tons of waste, mostly from households. Of this, 25.48% of this was still unmanaged.
Problems of Waste Management in Indonesia
Indonesia faces several significant challenges in waste management. These issues include:
- Lack of facilities: Inadequate infrastructure and resources for managing large volumes of waste are major challenges in Indonesia. Many areas still lack processing facilities, proper landfills, and efficient waste collection systems.
- Lack of awareness and participation: Many people do not sort their waste, leading to organic and non-organic waste being mixed. Additionally, participation in recycling programs also needs to be improved.
- Lack of law enforcement: While the government has implemented national waste policies and recycling programs, there is a need for more investment in infrastructure, stricter regulations on single-use plastics, and better waste collection and processing systems.
Waste Management in Bali
Bali produces 1.6 million tonnes of waste annually, with 19.6% being plastic. Approximately 33,000 tonnes of plastic—about 11% of the total plastic waste—enter the island’s waterways and seas each year. Denpasar, the capital city of Bali generates an average of 850 tons of waste daily, which is equal to the weight of about 141 elephants, and it will increase to 900 tons during the holiday. This far exceeds the capacity of the city’s 24 Integrated Waste Management Sites (TPS3R), which can only handle 250 tonnes per day.
Bali also has regulations regarding waste management such as:
- Single-use plastic banned: Governor of Bali Regulation Number 97 of 2018 Regarding the Limitation of Single-Use Plastic Waste Generation.
- Source-Based Waste Management: Governor of Bali Regulation Number 47 of 2019.
- Culture-Based Waste Management: Regulation of the Mayor of Denpasar Number 15 of 2023.
- Local Wisdom-Based Waste Management: The most recent, Gianyar Regency Regulation Number 76 of 2023, requires source-based waste management and bans mixed waste from entering the Temesi Landfill, effective May 1, 2024.
Despite existing regulations, the problem persists. Between 2023 and 2024, there have been at least 8 fires at landfills and waste processing sites, such as TPA Suwung, TPA Temesi, and TPA Jungutbatu. Recent regulations in Gianyar requiring residents to separate their waste haven’t been implemented perfectly. Issues such as illegal dumping and the occurrence of open burning are increasing. These problems stem from a lack of awareness among residents as well as complaints about insufficient waste collection personnel. Waste management and monitoring need to be continuously improved to meet needs and conditions, especially since this is a new policy.
Waste management in Indonesia is a long-standing and complex issue that needs to be addressed properly because improper waste handling can negatively affect the environment and human health. The involvement of various stakeholders, including the government, community, and private sector, is important. Although the government has implemented regulations, strict monitoring and enforcement are necessary to ensure these regulations are followed. Enhancing facilities and technology is also crucial for smooth implementation. Manufacturers should contribute by creating more eco-friendly packaging that is easier to process. Residents also need to play their part by separating waste at the source: composting organic waste and placing recyclable materials in the nearest recycling station.
Eco-Mantra Projects Implementing Integrated Waste Management
Eco-Mantra has helped various clients significantly reduce their waste-to-landfill through a continuously optimized cycle of waste audits, personalized frameworks, implementation, and ongoing monitoring and measurement to track progress.
- Potato Head: Collaborating with Eco-Mantra, Potato Head began with a sustainability audit, followed by the implementation and monitoring of effective waste management practices. They have now successfully managed 97.5% of their waste, sending only 2.5% to the landfill, compared to over 50% initially.
- Waterbom Bali: Eco-Mantra has been working with Waterbom Bali to develop a sustainability program for this water park. For waste management, Waterbom Bali has achieved a 96.4% recycling rate, sending only 3.6% of waste to the landfill. Their waste management initiatives include on-site composting, regular waste audits, a single-use plastic ban, and third-party recyclable inorganic collectors.
Eco-Mantra has launched the Zero-Waste-to-Landfill program to assist businesses in their waste management journey. The program is tailored to meet each client’s specific needs. Believing in the principle of “you can manage what you measure,” we provide various approaches to guide our clients with clear metrics and achievable goals. Click the link here [link to ZWTL page] if you’re interested in learning more about this program and contact us here.
Sources:
Breakdown of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions by sector.
How Indonesia Fighting Waste Crisis
How Improper Waste Disposal Affects the Environment
The Increasing Need for Responsible Waste Management Services in Indonesia
Top 10 Most Populous Countries in the World; Indonesia Ranked 4th
Waste Management in Indonesia and Jakarta: Challenges and Way Forward
