Rantau, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Tapin District in South Kalimantan, after being free from the Ministry of Environment's sanction in waste handling, is now considered worth to be an example.
Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said that Tapin, with a relatively small population and daily waste production of less than 100 tons is worthy of being an example of environmentally base waste handling.
Tapin's challanges in waste handling are considered light, so what is needed is regional commitment and consistency.
“With a population of about 250 thousand people and waste conversion of 0.5 kilograms per person, making the total less than 100 tons per day. In fact, it is not too complicated, it just needs hard work,” said Hanif in 2025 National Waste Management Coordination in Jakarta, Monday.
The government had previously closed hundreds of open-dumping sites nationwide as part of its endeavors to address environmental concerns.
Read also: Government officially ends open dumping landfill practices
Read also: Government closes hundreds of open-dumping sites across country
Tapin was one of those subjected to sanction, said Hanif, due to poor waste management, especially at Hatiwin Village Final Disposal Site (TPA) applying open dumping. However, after improvements were made, Tapin successfully got rid off the sanction.
Hanif hopes Tapin could be an example for other districts facing similar challanges. One of which is by involving companies through corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.
"In addition to commitment and consistency, Tapin government should encourage local companies to take part in building integrated waste management system," he said.
Meanwhile, Tapin Deputy Regent Juanda said the exemption from sanction is a motivation to keep on improving waste management in the district.
“Alhamdulillah (Thank God) we are free from santion, but it is not the end. In fact it is the beginning to improve more seriously,” he said.
Juanda informed that new landfills in several sub-districts will be designed together with private sector to be more technically feasible and environentally friendly.
“Company's CSR should be directed to help government in waste management. This is an important part so that teh system is sustainable,” said Juanda.
Tapin government, he said, will also strengthen cross-sector coordination so that waste management does not return to the the old pattern.
Read also: Tapin 3R waste disposal a national pilot
