Jakarta, IO – The Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Ministry completed the construction of three Integrated Waste Treatment Areas (TPST) in the city of Denpasar, Bali. They are TPST Kesiman Kertalangu, TPST Padang Sambian and TPST Tahura Ngurah Rai with a total capacity of up to 1,020 tons per day.
This was part of the local government efforts to manage the longstanding waste problem in the touristy city. Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan explained that the facilities the first of its kind in the country. Other than solving environmental problems, it can also empower the local community through circular economy.
“Waste must be managed in an integrated manner from upstream to downstream using advanced technology. It should not be business as usual,” he said, reported Katadata, Tuesday (14/3).
He revealed that the cost for the construction of hangar was Rp128,633 billion and Rp100 billion for machinery and equipment. The Denpasar city government will pay a service fee of Rp100,000 per ton of processed waste.
He said the considerable cost is justified as the facilities use modern technology. Another consideration is the sustainability aspect.
“The investment serves as a model for the construction of TPST in collaboration with the central government. PUPR Ministry builds the hangars, the city government prepares the land while the private sector (PT Bali CMPP) prepares the machinery and equipment in return for 20 years of management concession,” he explained.
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He also advised the public to change their behaviour in managing household waste. Communities are encouraged to dispose of waste that has been sorted. “People need to be more responsible for the waste they produce by sorting their trash beforehand,” he said. (bp)