Following a successful first-phase-run in Tasikmalaya, West Java, last year, EKONID continues its campaign to promote technology-based waste management solutions in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. EKONID鈥檚 Market Research & Development Advisor Stephan Blocks shares a bit more about this initiative in this interview.
1. Tell us more about this waste management project. Who are the initiators? When and why was it initiated?
This project began as part of Germany鈥檚 general commitment to protect the environment and to cut greenhouse gas emissions under the German government鈥檚 initiative 鈥淓nvironmental Protection Made in Germany鈥�, which is overseen by the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety [BMU]. The initiative aims to promote the worldwide application of technology-based waste management solutions, especially in developing and emerging countries. We see the need to support the Indonesian government in promoting sustainable solutions.
EKONID joined the BMU initiative from day one onwards under the coordination of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce e.V. [DIHK] in Berlin. During our first project in 2016, we conducted a baseline study on the current situation of the Indonesian waste management sector. For research purposes we visited six medium-sized cities back then, with Banjarmasin being one of them. Another city was Tasikmalaya where we conducted a follow up project in 2018. Banjarmasin was involved as well in the project. The city鈥檚 central waste bank team provided training for waste bank operators in Tasikmalaya.
2. Share with us your current activities in regards to this project.
Early in 2019, we have approached the Banjarmasin city government to propose a joint project and our timing couldn鈥檛 be better. The city struggles to deal with an increasing amount of waste, not just from its own citizens, but also with waste coming from other regions in Kalimantan through the Barito River that passes through the city.
To address the issue, the city government has identified an empty plot of land where a waste treatment facility shall be build. EKONID will provide planning support. For the technical concept development, we have teamed up with Berlin-based consultancy BlackForest Solutions GmbH [BFS], a company specializing in the development of technology-based waste management solutions. For the necessary prior waste composition analysis, we will partner with the Department of Environmental Technology of the Lambung Mangkurat University [UNLAM] in Banjarmasin. Based on the generated waste composition data, BFS will develop a detailed technical concept that shall function as the preparation for a tender for the technical set up of the waste treatment facility.
Furthermore, we intend to implement a waste separation project at a traditional market in Banjarmasin. Together with UNLAM and the Central Waste Bank Banjarmasin, we want to promote our 鈥淧rogram Dua Karung鈥� (鈥淭wo Bags Program鈥�) of separating organic and non-organic waste at the source, the non-organic residues of which will be processed by the central waste bank. Meanwhile, the organic residues will be used as animal feed or as the basis for compost. If successful, the program shall be replicated in other traditional markets in the city.
3. Based on your experiences in this project, what are the major challenges to waste management in Indonesia?
In short, there are three reasons. One is Low public awareness. Two is the lack of law enforcement. And three is limited knowledge about modern waste treatment solutions .
To elaborate, the general awareness in Indonesia about environmental issues such as urban waste is still relatively low. Even in places where waste bins can be found, you will still see people littering. Prevailing laws prohibiting reckless littering are rarely enforced. Therefore we are still rather far away from waste separation at the source. Mixed urban waste is hardly treated in Indonesia. The volume of recyclable items that scavengers take out is small. Most of the urban waste ends up either in the country鈥檚 rivers or on its landfills, with the latter often operating way above capacity. There is a desperate need to introduce sophisticated waste treatment applications to reduce the daily amount of waste that is dumped on Indonesia鈥檚 landfills. However, municipal governments often shy away from taking bold steps. So far public money has rather been spent on buying additional land to expand landfills instead of investing in advanced recycling technology.
4. How can the German-Indonesian business community contribute to waste management in Indonesia? Can you give any concrete examples?
Waste treatment starts in our homes and offices. Dropping-off recyclable items at a waste bank in the neighborhood or contracting more specialized waste treatment organizations, such as the Bekasi-based organization Waste For Change, that collect and treat organic and non-organic waste from residential areas as well as company offices, can go a long way to reduce harm to our environment.
In the meantime, every company can support waste separation initiatives via CSR. Organic waste can be converted into organic fertilizer or compost. In every city you find companies specializing in the conversion of organic waste into organic fertilizer or compost. We could provide our own residues and buy back the fertilizer or compost and apply it on our own green spaces. Additionally, this gives way to business opportunities. Indonesian law has allowed for higher tipping-fees for waste-treatment companies compared to the past. An attractive feed-in tariff for zero-waste applications in urban areas is also encouraging more and more companies to get engaged in the sector and we have witnessed quite a few of them completing first-round feasibility studies. Recycling will also become more important in the near future. While most of the country鈥檚 waste is dumped on landfills, the domestic recycling industry struggles to secure sufficient supply of scrap plastics, metals or waste paper, thus making it dependent on imports of such items. Waste only becomes waste if it鈥檚 wasted.
5. What will be the upcoming activities for EKONID in this project?
We just got back from Banjarmasin where we have introduced the program to the mayor and our partners there. By the end of July, we will return to conduct the waste composition analysis and to kick-start the waste separation project at a local market. The technology concept shall be presented to the Banjarmasin city government in September of this year. We will then also evaluate the outcome of the first phase of the waste separation project before heading back to Jakarta where our recycling technology seminar will be held. During this seminar, German technology providers and project developers will have the opportunity to meet with local stakeholders from the recycling industry.