Did you know that there are many simple things you can do to combat climate change? One of the ways is waste management. It is important because, according to Databoks, Indonesia became the fifth largest waste producer in the world in 2020.

In addition, GoodStats reported that 11.4 million tons of waste needed to be managed properly as of July 2024. This becomes a concern for all stakeholders, including government and citizens. 

That’s why you must know about waste management to work on the trash problem better. This article will thoroughly discuss how to manage waste so that it does not cause serious environmental problems. So, read the following explanation until the end!

How to Do Waste Management

There are various ways to deal with waste in the community environment, starting from household waste. Knowing how to manage household waste is important to prevent environmental pollution and safeguard family health.

Moreover, the Indonesian government has regulated waste management in Undang-Undang Nomor 18 Tahun 2008 based on the population increase affecting the amount of waste produced. Below are some ways you can do:

1. Sorting Waste

The first thing to do in waste management is sorting it based on the types. Generally, you can divide them into organic and inorganic trashes. 

Organic waste can be naturally decomposed by microorganisms, such as vegetables, fruits, leaves, and so on. On the other hand, inorganic waste is difficult to decompose by microorganisms, such as glass, plastic, metal, and so on.

To sort the waste, you can prepare two trash bins with signs indicating organic and inorganic waste. That way, you can manage waste based on its type and channel it to the right place.

2. Cleaning the Trash Bin

In addition to sorting your waste, it’s also important to clean your trash bin regularly to prevent bad odor and disease. 

You can clean it every morning before throwing all the trash into the larger disposal, sanitizing it with cleaning fluid or alcohol, and then putting it in a clean trash bag for the next use.

3. Processing the Waste

Now that you already sorted the waste based on the types, which are organic and inorganic, you can continue to process it. For organic waste, you can make it into compost and use it for your garden at home.

Conversely, for inorganic waste, you can process it into crafts with sales value or hand it over to a community that can process inorganic waste.

Read also: How to Recycle Organic Waste: Try These 4 Easy Craft Ideas!

4. Processing Hazardous and Electronic Waste

Not only is it sorted into organic and inorganic, but the waste in your house also needs to be sorted into hazardous and electronic waste, as you need a special procedure to process them.

For hazardous waste, several methods can be used, such as adding other chemicals to minimize trash pollution, hardening it using certain substances, or burning it. However, you must process hazardous waste according to certain materials and standards to prevent further endanger the environment.

Then, for electronic waste, such as cell phones, televisions, computers, batteries, and so on, you can collect them, sort them, repair them if they can still be repaired, and recycle them according to government standards.

5. Handing the Waste to the Waste Bank

Next, you must hand the waste to the waste bank. This is important because when you already sorted it, but still throw it to the disposal, your trash might be put back together.

Therefore, if you have sorted your waste, you should send it to a waste bank so they can process it based on the type of waste. 

In fact, nowadays, depositing waste in a waste bank has become very easy because they can come to your house according to the appointment you have made with them. Then, the trash you have deposited can be exchanged for money.

In Jakarta, Dinas Lingkungan Hidup DKI Jakarta has regulated the waste management program and built a waste bank across Jakarta. 

Along with the waste bank managed by the Dinas Lingkungan Hidup DKI Jakarta, you can also channel your waste to the nearest banks in this province, such as Rubah Kertas, Rebricks Indonesia, Kamibox, and many more.

Read also: Is Throwing Waste in the Bin Enough to Solve the Trash Problem?

6. Reusing the Trash

Aside from recycling, the last way of waste management is to reuse the trash. For example, using cans for flower pots, plastic bottles as soy sauce containers, glass bottle vases, and many more.

Those are the information about waste management you should know. Even though you must get used to implementing it, at least you have started to pay attention to the trash around you.

In the end, you can contribute to decreasing climate change effects, maintaining cleanliness, and preventing environmental pollution.

Not only that, you can also register on the Indonesia Asri website to contribute further, for example by participating in sustainable programs such as Operasi Semut.

Operasi Semut can help you gain further knowledge about sorting and processing waste into items of economic value.

So, how is it? Are you ready to be part of Indonesia Asri and contribute to protecting the environment? Register yourself now!

Read also: Understanding Types of Waste and Their Classifications