TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

By adopting new lifestyle, citizens cut down on waste

Nothing goes to waste: Residents of Pondok Jaya in Tangerang, Banten, sort out organic waste at a mosque on Sunday

Vela Andapita (The Jakarta Post)
Tangerang
Tue, April 17, 2018

Share This Article

Change Size

By adopting new lifestyle, citizens cut down on waste

Nothing goes to waste: Residents of Pondok Jaya in Tangerang, Banten, sort out organic waste at a mosque on Sunday.(JP/ Aditya Bhagas)

Combining the power of women and Quran recitals in an urban kampung in South Tangerang, Banten, some 500 families have adopted a new way of life and succeeded in reducing their domestic waste by up to 94 percent.

After three months of consistent waste management efforts, the residents of community unit (RW) 002, in Pondok Jaya subdistrict, Pondok Aren district, celebrated their hard work by holding an environmentally friendly celebration.

The residents enjoyed qasidah (a traditional Islamic musical performance) while munching on snacks over the weekend. They all used reusable, recyclable or organic eating utensils.

Instead of drinking water from disposable plastic cups, the committee used reusable glasses filled up with water from gallons. They also used banana leaves in lieu of boxes to cover and distribute snacks.

Most of the residents in the seven neighborhood units within RW 002, who call themselves “RW Gaul”, have adopted a new approach to domestic waste management, which has required them to change their daily habits. They now separate waste into several categories, with a different approach used to handle each.

“Using a composter, we can turn organic waste into compost. We also earn extra cash by selling our non-organic trash to waste banks. Other plastic waste can be turned into ecobricks [a brick-like material made of shredded plastic],” said Onik, one of the pioneers of the community’s waste management movement.

Two kinds of waste that could not be reused or recycled, she added, were electronic and residual waste — such as used diapers and cigarette butts. This leftover waste is taken to Cipeucang Landfill in South Tangerang.

Through their efforts, the residents have managed to reduce their waste output by 49 to 94 percent.

A fellow waste management pioneer, Dahlia, said the most effective way to promote the movement was by incorporating it into the residents’ Quran recital sessions at mosques. Onik, Dahlia and 12 other pioneers have specifically targeted women, especially mothers.

“Mothers are the ones who deal with the family’s domestic errands, including managing waste. Mothers have the power to slowly change their families’ habits toward waste,” Dahlia said.

“The program has received a positive response, as women know they can exchange paper and plastic waste for money at waste banks. Some earn Rp 70,000 (US$5) per week from the waste bank,” she added.

The idea, which was first introduced in March 2017, was initiated by Giant (PT Hero Supermarket Tbk) and LabTanya, a group of architects committed to social experiments and research.

RW 002 community unit head Suryadi said most of the residents had stopped using the municipal sanitation agency’s trash collection service.

“We used to fill up a garbage truck each week, now it takes us more than a month to do so. People paid up to Rp 25,000 per month for the trash service. Now they can use the money for other purposes,” he said.

Previously, at least 20 locations within RW 002 Pondok Jaya had been used to burn waste. That number has now been reduced to 14.

“It’s hard to change people’s mindsets toward waste management, so some still choose to burn their domestic waste. But the number is decreasing and it’s a good sign,” Suryadi added.

Article 29 in the Law No. 18/2008 states that “everyone is prohibited from […] burning waste in a manner that is not in compliance with the waste management requirements.”

LabTanya cofounder Wilma Chrysanti said it was possible for the movement to be promoted to an even larger audience.

LabTanya, in partnership with several companies, has developed the “City Without Trash” program to combat the waste problem facing Greater Jakarta.

“All residential areas can adopt the movement, as long as there are residents who are motivated to improve their neighborhoods,” she said on Sunday.

In addition to RW 002 Pondok Jaya, LabTanya has assisted six other community units, namely RW 08 Camar Pinguin in South Tangerang, RW 05 Karet Tengsin in Central Jakarta, RW 011 Gandaria Utara in South Jakarta, and Lodan, Tongkol and Kerapu villages by the Ciliwung River in North Jakar

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.