PIKIRAN RAKYAT - Cakra Amiyana, Head of the Bandung City Regency, praised the Department of Public Works and Spatial Planning (DPUTR) for launching the Free from Organic Waste (Bedas OK) program, an innovation in waste management, especially organic waste. 

The Bedas OK program was launched earlier by Bandung Mayor Dadang Supriatna at the Waste Management Reduce Reuse Recycle (TPS3R) in Kencana Village, Rancaekek District.

According to the Bandung Regency Secretary, waste management is not only the responsibility of the Department of Environment and Sanitation (DLHK), but other agencies can also provide solutions to achieve a cleaner, healthier, and better environment.

Secretary Cakra Amiyana conveyed this message during the official opening of the Socialisation and Education of Organic Waste Processing Hilirisation held by DPUTR Bandung Regency at the DPUTR Office in Soreang on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

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Cakra Amiyana said that, up until now, waste has often been viewed as a challenge and a burden rather than as a potential source of benefit. He believes this is because we have yet to fully appreciate the potential benefits of waste, which could be used to create circular economies within our communities, with the processing of waste representing a crucial part of this.

One possible approach is to establish waste banks and Community Self-Help Groups (KSM) as composters to build an ecosystem and a significant movement in managing downstream waste. 

"One promising approach is the creative and innovative Bedas OK program from DPUTR, which aims to establish a downstream or supply chain of organic waste processing. This could be a valuable addition to our current waste management strategies in Metropolitan Bandung, where we currently face challenges in disposing residual waste," said Ami, Cakra Amiyana's nickname.

The Bedas OK Programme offers a potential solution to the issue of waste residue by processing organic waste to create economic value.

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Furthermore, it should be noted that the operation of the Sarimukti landfill in West Bandung Regency is only permitted to continue until 2026 by the West Java Provincial Government. It would be fair to say that even the Legoknangka landfill in Nagreg subdistrict, Bandung Regency, is not expected to be operational until 2027.

"The Bandung Regent conveyed his gratitude to DPUTR for contributing to the resolution of the waste issue, along with the LHK Service, so that the situation can be managed more effectively and the environment can be enhanced," Ami reiterated.

He also invited civil servants who work in each OPD within the Bandung Regency Government and the community, in general, to consider separating organic and inorganic waste, perhaps starting from their respective offices and homes.

In a recent conversation, Zeis Zultaqawa, the Head of DPUTR Bandung Regency, shared that the Socialisation and Education on the Downstream Processing of Organic Waste through the Free from Organic Waste (Bedas OK) program is a pilot project that aims to optimise waste handling, particularly organic waste, through community participation.

It would be beneficial to consider ways of encouraging the socialization and education of those involved in downstream waste management, to create the habit of sorting between organic and inorganic waste.

According to Zeis, the challenge of managing waste is further compounded when organic and inorganic waste are mixed, as this can result in the production of residues and odors that have the potential to pollute the environment.

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In accordance with Permendagri 90/2019 concerning waste infrastructure management, DPUTR is responsible for ensuring proper oversight and guidance. "From the initial planning stages through to the provision of waste facilities and infrastructure and the implementation of public awareness campaigns, there are a number of steps involved," Zeis explained.

He shared that the Bedas OK program has been implemented in TPS3R in Kencana Village, Rancaekek Sub-district, and introduced to the public.

"I believe we already have 160 TPS3Rs. However, only 70 of them are currently active. It is worth noting that there are still some areas for improvement due to governance constraints. In light of these challenges, we have initiated innovation by introducing the Bedas OK program, which is free from organic waste. This program aims to reduce the transportation of organic waste by garbage trucks by ensuring that it is completed at the office level or by residents' homes. As our tagline suggests, we believe that waste can be transformed into a valuable resource," he said.***(Politeknik Negeri Bandung/Ahyaithannisa Taufik)