Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - South Kalimantan Environment Office (DLH) had exchange 6.2 tons waste for basic food at its inaugural "Exchange waste for basic necessities" program held at former office of Governor at 0 Kilometer, Banjarmasin, Saturday (May 3, 2025).
"Waste sorting activities also serves as a medium for socialization, education, and to motivate residents to reduce waste and sort it from household," acting Head of DLH Fathimatuzzahra here said.
She said it also helped government to reduce cost of transporting waste to the final disposal (TPA).
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Previously, a number of waste disposal sites in districts and cities in South Kalimantan were highlighted by the Ministry of Environment for implementing open dumping.
In fact, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq had closed Basirih Final Waste Processing Site (TPAS) in Banjarmasin City for this reason.
Banjarmasin government declared waste emergency as a result of the closure. Waste piled up in a number of temporary disposal sites.
To help overcoming the situation, South Kalimantan Governor H Muhidin looked for solution, one of which is through "Exchange waste for basic necessities" program.
The Governor attended the inaugural event accompanied by Deputy Governor Hasnuryadi, Chairperson of South Kalimantan TP-PKK and her deputy, Banjarmasin Mayor, Governor's expert staff, heads of the provincial and Banjarmasin city government working units, sub-district heads and urban village heads, and some companies.
DLH collaborates with some companies who contributed through their environmental social responsibility (TJSL) budget.
People who deposited waste must sort it first according to type. After being appraised, then it is exchanged for basic food at twice the estimated price of the waste.
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DLH embraced the Baiman Main West Bank and waste bank units to weigh and estimate the price of the sorted waste.
Meanwhile, companies involved in disbursing TJSL funds included PT Pelsart Tambang Kencana, PT Adaro Indonesia, PT Talenta Bumi, PT Borneo Indobara, PT Indofood, PT Gawi Makmur Kalimantan, PT Guthrie International, dan PT Ambang Barito Nusapersada.
Bank Kalsel handed over a package of organic waste processing equipment to Banua Anyar Urban Village Community Empowerment Organization (LPMK).
Banua Anyar LPMK utilizes the potential about 147 kg organic waste per day from 15 restaurants to turn into fish feed and organic fertilizer in Banua Anyar culinary attraction area.
A 3-wheeled vehicle from PT Adaro Indonesia was handed over to Baiman Main West Bank which will be used as a learning and service medium for site level, thus helping the main waste bank service.
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