DIGIVESTASI - The increasing presence of stranded marine debris, illegal landfill sites around settlements, and litter on the streets is becoming more concerning. Can the waste reduction strategies that have been planned work effectively? In several regions, residents have protested against the emergence of illegal landfills. One prominent protest came from residents in Limo-Cinere, Depok, against the illegal landfill along the Pesanggrahan River, which has been operating since 2009. Despite numerous protests, the landfill continues to operate, with the most recent significant protest occurring in November 2024. However, to date, there is no guarantee that the illegal landfill will be permanently closed.

Residents of Cinere are not the only ones experiencing this issue. Previously, similar protests have come from citizens in Yogyakarta and Bandung. The escalating waste problem, which burdens the environment, is the result of a collective behavior from many. The emergence of illegal landfills, scattered garbage on the streets, and plastic waste accumulating along the coastline all come from the contributions of various parties. The Director-General of Waste, Hazardous Waste, and Materials Management of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ade Palguna Ruteka, explained that waste management strategies cannot be implemented unilaterally. The government, through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLH), has prepared several strategies to address the growing waste problem.

The first step, according to Ade, is to raise awareness and public concern about waste management and sorting, which must start at the source. KLH is committed to implementing this strategy in a more educational and systematic manner. Furthermore, the ministry will strengthen the enforcement of producer obligations in waste management and reduction. Referring to Law No. 18 of 2008 on Waste Management, each producer is required to label their products regarding waste reduction and management. Moreover, producers are obligated to manage packaging or products that are not biodegradable. The Ministerial Regulation No. P.75/2019 on the Waste Reduction Roadmap by Producers explains that all producers, including those in manufacturing, food and beverage services, and retail, must plan, manage, and report their product waste management. This regulation covers the food and beverage industries, consumer goods, cosmetics, restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, and markets.

According to data from the National Waste Management System (SIPSN), the total waste produced in Indonesia reaches 41.08 million tons annually, with 60.35% of this waste being properly managed. However, there is still 40% or approximately 16.3 million tons of waste that remains unmanaged. Most of the waste comes from food waste (around 40%), followed by plastic waste (19.1%), wood and branches (12.02%), and paper and cardboard (10.87%). A large portion of this unmanaged waste has the potential to pollute the environment, including through illegal landfills.

Meanwhile, KLH is also committed to closing illegal landfills that still practice open dumping. According to Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, 306 landfills across Indonesia are still engaged in open dumping, and the government plans to impose administrative sanctions on the managers of these landfills starting next month. "There are 306 landfills that must be closed. This is based on Law No. 18 of 2008, which has been in effect for nearly 13 years," he emphasized.

Although the proposed action plan still seems cliché, commitment and consistency in its implementation are needed to gradually reduce waste generation.

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