More than 15 tons of rubbish removed from Kalimati is contaminated and cannot be recycled

BANYUWANGI, GARISBUMI.com – More than 15 tonnes of rubbish was removed from the Kalimati River, Kedungrejo Village, Muncar District, Banyuwangi Regency. The waste, which is dominated by non-organic household waste, is said to be contaminated, making it impossible to recycle.

Cleaning the river is also a concern for local fishermen who complain that rubbish in the waters interferes with fishing activities. Handling is now being directed to the estuary area, accompanied by plans to monitor and improve waste management so that accumulation does not occur again.

Based on information from the Banyuwangi Regency Government, Wednesday (28/10/2026), the clean-up action started on Monday (26/10/2026). Activities involve residents, village and sub-district governments, a number of agencies, as well as the environmental organization Sungai Watch.

River Watch Community Coordinator, Dewi Fatmawati, said that around 700 meters of the target of 800 meters of river flow had been cleaned. The remaining work of around 100 meters is in the estuary area.

"For two days, the waste we managed to collect reached more than 15 tons. The majority was dominated by non-organic household waste," said Dewi, as quoted from a statement from the Banyuwangi Regency Government.

The waste resulting from the cleaning is transported to the Karetan Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (TPS3R) Waste Processing Site for further handling. The district government's statement stated that the waste could not be recycled because it was contaminated, but did not specify the type of contamination or subsequent handling methods.

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