Jakarta`s 499th Anniversary and a Waste Sorting Movement Launched

The Jakarta Provincial Government officially kicked off a series of celebrations for the 499th anniversary of Jakarta City through an event titled the Declaration of the Waste Sorting Movement and the Launching of the 499th Anniversary of Jakarta City, which was held on Jalan HR Rasuna Said, South Jakarta.

extraordinary public demand

Jakarta Governor, Pramono Anung said Jalan HR Rasuna Said was chosen as the launch location because the area has been renovated to become a new icon of Jakarta and is targeted for completion next month.

According to him, the Car Free Day activities in the area will start at 5.30 AM, the same as in the Sudirman-Thamrin area, and will be implemented effectively starting June 1.

South Jakarta Government Continues to Intensify Waste Sorting

"This is held because of extraordinary public demand and the resident is very enthusiastic," he said, Sunday (5/10).

Pram explained that the declaration also focused on upstream waste management. Based on the governor's instructions and central government directives, the Jakarta Provincial Government has begun mandating waste sorting, implemented simultaneously in the city's five administrative areas and the Seribu Islands Regency.

Pram targets that if the sorting of organic and inorganic waste at the source runs optimally, then Jakarta will only dispose of final residue at the Bantar Gebang TPST next August.

"We start with sorting. Besides Bantar Gebang, we also have the Rorotan RDF and TPST 3R, which will serve as waste collection points. We also grant permits to markets in Jakarta to manage their own waste, such as in Kramat Jati," he added.

The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, expressed his appreciation for the Jakarta Provincial Government's proactive steps in addressing the waste problem.

"Separating household waste is key to converting waste into a source of electrical energy," he said.

He added that waste management at Bantar Gebang will be carried out using waste-to-energy technology. Emergency waste management of over 1,000 tons is targeted for completion in 2028, while waste management of 100 to 200 tons is targeted for completion in 2029.

"The main problem is how to separate waste into three types: organic, inorganic, and hazardous and toxic materials (B3). If this is accomplished, waste can be used to power Jakarta and other areas," he added.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Environment/Head of the Indonesian Environmental Management Agency (KLH/BPLH), Jumhur Hidayat, emphasized the importance of active community participation so that the movement does not stop as a mere bureaucratic program.

"This must be a movement of Jakarta's residents, not just a bureaucratic one. Jakarta will be an example for us all. We fully support transforming waste from an enemy into something valuable," he emphasized.