Your Trash, Your Responsibility!
10 November 2023
The Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) faces a waste emergency as the Regional Final Processing Site (TPA Regional Piyungan) cannot operate optimally. According to data from the Special Region of Yogyakarta Government (2023), households are the most significant waste producers, averaging 301 tons per day from 2010-2022, increasing to 732 tons per day.
This situation is exacerbated by indiscriminately dumping waste along the roads in various areas of DIY. In addition to these piles of wild garbage, people still resort to burning waste, contributing to air and environmental pollution in DIY.
The accumulation of waste is inseparable from the need for more public awareness of the importance of waste handling and management. Therefore, motivation and education are needed to manage household waste by adequately sorting and disposing of it.
One initiative is carried out by the Plan International Indonesia Foundation (Plan Indonesia) in collaboration with the Jogja Disaster Preparedness Youth Coalition, which organized the “Plogging and Disaster Risk Reduction Discussion for Jogja’s Waste Emergency Reflection” activity on September 30, 2023.
Plogging, a combination of jogging and picking up trash, was conducted along the streets from the Zero Kilometer Point to Alun-Alun Kidul.
“This Plogging is a tangible manifestation of the concern of Jogja’s young people about the waste emergency. We hope this activity will increase awareness among residents, especially the youth, about environmental issues around them and serve as a means to exercise together,” said Enos Ndapareda, Safe School Province Model Project Manager, Plan Indonesia.
Following Plogging, the event continued with a Disaster Risk Reduction Discussion at the Youth and Sports Hall in Yogyakarta.
The discussion featured several speakers, including Ninik Sri Handayani, Head of the Environmental Pollution Control Division of the DIY Environmental Agency, Erry Dodi Ariessandi from the Joint Secretariat of SPAB – DIY Civil Service Police (Pol PP) in the Field of Linmas, Dedi Wijayanti, Responsible for the UAD Waste Management Laboratory, Rio as the Pepelingasih Ambassador from the Ministry of Youth and Sports DIY Representative, and Kak Agnes, Chairperson of World Cleanup Day DIY, moderated by Satrio, SPAB Facilitator.
Tri Haryani, Head of the Special Education Division at the DIY Education Agency, appreciated the initiative. According to her, waste issues are indeed a significant concern in Yogyakarta.
“Responsibility must come from all parties and collaborate to address this waste problem. Awareness must be instilled from an early age, starting from schools,” she said in the opening of the Disaster Risk Reduction Discussion.
Meanwhile, Dedi Wijayanti, Responsible for the UAD Waste Management Laboratory, urged young people to remain consistent in environmental conservation efforts in Yogyakarta.
“Your trash is your responsibility! Start being aware of yourself in solving this waste problem. If we are conscious, we can encourage others around us,” he explained.
Efforts to handle waste must begin with self-awareness as early as possible. Many actions can be taken, such as bringing a tumbler or a container for meals when buying food. Through Plogging and discussions, it is hoped that the community and young people will become more aware of environmental issues, especially waste problems.
No matter how small our efforts to reduce waste are, it will undoubtedly have a tangible impact if we all take action. Actions speak louder than words.
Author:
Maryanti – Safe School Project Officer
