Waste Emergency, Save the Environment in the Era of Industrialization

Semarang – When we hear the word waste, what comes to our mind is garbage that is disposed of with an unpleasant odor, dark color, and dangerous. Yes, that opinion is not wrong. Even B3 waste (hazardous and toxic materials) is clearly written in its name as dangerous and toxic. This waste can have a very serious negative impact on the environment if not managed properly.

As is known, waste is not only generated by households or individuals, but also from industry. Not infrequently, industries produce waste from business residues in the form of hazardous and toxic materials or known as hazardous waste. According to the Ministerial Regulation (Permen) of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Number 6 of 2021 concerning Procedures and Requirements for Management of Hazardous Waste, the categorization of hazardous waste is seen from the nature, concentration of material content, and the amount.

The rapid industrial growth has an impact on the amount of waste, including the type of hazardous waste produced. Because it is dangerous and toxic, hazardous waste management needs to go through a series of processes, from storage, collection, transportation, 3R, treatment, to landfill. There are many cases of industries who choose shortcuts to dispose of waste into rivers, seas or into the air without going through a proper treatment process. Waste water treatment plant (WWTP) are often just decorations on paper, but are difficult to realize in the field. Either because of the high cost or limited land.

Hazardous waste management company PT Prasadha Pamunah Limbah Industri (PPLI) has the answer to the problem of treating industrial waste. General Manager of PPLI, Yurnalisdel, said that handling industrial waste which is classified as hazardous does require a common understanding between waste producers, industry players, and regulators. From the industrial side, waste management companies must have a strong commitment to treating properly and not polluting the environment. In order for this to work well, Yurnalisdel encourages regulators to tighten supervision and enforcement of the waste management industry. The goal is that the industry actually manages its waste properly.

PPLI itself is a hazardous waste management company that has been in operation in Indonesia for 28 years. The company, which is owned by 95 percent of its shares by Dowa Eco System Co. Ltd from Japan, provides one-stop service. Starting from transportation, treatment, to final disposal (landfill). This became the essence of the NGOPLING (Environmental Care Chat) discussion held by the Alliance of Indonesian Environmentally Concerned Journalists (AJPLI), in the Wijayakusuma Industrial Estate, Semarang, Central Java, Thursday (30/6/2022).

The discussion presented four speakers, Head of Pollution and Environmental Control Section of the Central Java Province Environmental Service, Marnang Haryoto, Executive Director of WALHI Central Java Fahmi Bastian, General Manager of PPLI Yurnalisdel and Marketing Division Head of KIW Agus Santosa.

PPLI Public Relations Manager, Arum Tri Pusposari on the launching of the company’s representative office in Central Java by PPLI President Director Yoshiaki Chida and DESI Managing Director Takanobu Tachikawa, Thursday (30/6) said that the Ngopling itself was a series of activities held by PPLI in collaboration with sister company PT Dowa Eco-System Indonesia (DESI). PPLI tries to bring the company closer to its clients, including those in Central Java. PPLI is present in the Wijayakusuma Industrial Estate, Semarang. (atp)