West Java Deploys 25,000 Students, Targets Greater Bandung Waste to Reduce by 1,000 Tons a Day

"No matter how great the technology is, the key is still human capital, human resources. Behavioral matters are not like turning the palm of your hand, but they have to be done," he said.

Segregated Waste is the Key to Processing

In addition to strengthening community assistance, the West Java Provincial Government is encouraging the optimization of waste processing facilities that are already available in districts and cities in Greater Bandung.

These facilities include waste processing sites using the principles of reducing, reusing and recycling (TPS 3R), processing fuel from waste or refuse-derived fuel (RDF), composting, and maggot cultivation.

Utilization will be adjusted to the characteristics of the waste and the conditions of each region.

Herman assesses that a number of facilities are not working optimally because the incoming waste is still mixed. He gave the example of maggot cultivation which requires segregated organic waste. The mixture of plastic and other materials means that these facilities cannot be utilized optimally.

Therefore, technology development needs to go hand in hand with behavior change through education and mentoring.