Waste management systems have faced intensified scrutiny recently, particularly in Yogyakarta, where millions of tons of waste generated daily often go through inadequate processing.
The public is alarmed as the Piyungan Final Disposal Site shuts down again, prompting makeshift emergency disposal sites in various parts of the city.
Tackling this multifaceted problem head-on is Yuris Sarifudin, an alumnus of the UGM Faculty of Engineering and the founder of PT Daur Ulang Indonesia. Sarifudin has pioneered a method to convert household waste into raw materials for the industrial sector.
Sarifudin, during a session on the Lestari Podcast hosted by the UGM Center for Environmental Studies on Monday (Jan. 15), shared his insights, “Waste is undeniably complex, and Yogyakarta is grappling with an emergency.”
“What’s intriguing is that there’s significant material potential apart from the waste problem. Our background is in construction, and when we consider existing materials, almost all fall short in sustainability.”
He believes that plastic waste holds immense potential to be transformed into durable building materials. However, he acknowledges that the journey from waste piles to reusable materials is far from simple.
Currently, the prevailing practice involves disposing of waste without prior sorting, leading to a convoluted waste processing process. Sarifudin said that unsorted waste remains perpetual waste.
Waste segregation involves multiple stages, starting with segregating organic and inorganic waste. In the subsequent stage, inorganic waste is further categorized by type. Despite these processes, certain types of waste are left untreated and labeled as residue waste.
“It’s somewhat challenging because most residue waste originates from households. Not all families are conscious of sorting. Once sorted, it can be delivered or sent to our facility. We also engage with industries on a larger scale,” shared Sarifudin.
“Collaborations extend to 3R waste collection points (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) – 36 in Klaten and 32 in Sleman, albeit with only 21 operational. In Bantul, there are 29, but only 14-15 are active.”
The collected waste undergoes segregation using mechanical tools to extract the essential raw materials for manufacturing industrial materials.
After proper waste sorting, the materials are integrated into industrial production. Raw materials are melted, blended with calcium, and shaped into blocks and boards.
“We’ve also examined emissions during the melting process. The CO2 levels are around 110 ppm. It’s minimal due to the absence of open burning. The melting process is the primary contributor. So, it’s relatively eco-friendly,” explained Sarifudin.
While Sarifudin concedes that public awareness of waste sorting is lacking, he emphasizes that early-stage sorting is far more manageable than addressing a massive pile of waste.
The intricate process of sorting and processing waste incurs significant costs. Ideally, Sarifudin asserts, waste should be the responsibility of its producer.
Therefore, waste processing ought to be the individual’s obligation. If this cannot be achieved independently, a willingness to financially support waste processing by others is imperative.
Author: Tasya