MBG Program Garbage Reaches 3,500 Tons Per Day, Minister Hanif Reminds Danger Of Pollution

BOGOR The volume of waste generated from the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program is now a serious concern of the government. Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said, every day MBG services in schools produce large amounts of waste that must be handled in a structured and sustainable manner.

"Every MBG service produces a lot of waste, around 2,000 to 3,500 tons per day. Therefore, waste management must be carried out with good governance," said Hanif after reviewing the activities of the Environmental Management Based School (SPPG) in Central Bogor, Friday, October 17.

According to Hanif, this increase in waste volume occurred due to the widespread coverage of MBG programs in various schools, especially in urban areas and densely populated areas. He assessed that, without an integrated management system, the emergence of waste from joint eating activities could trigger environmental pollution and increase the burden on regional waste management.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said Hanif, has prepared technical guidelines to support waste management from the MBG program. This instruction is expected to be implemented throughout the SPPG so that learning activities and the provision of healthy food do not have a negative impact on the environment.

"Regarding the Ministry's support for MBG, we have given instructions to related parties so that they can be forwarded to all SPPGs. In essence, every school must have an orderly waste management system," he said.

Hanif explained that his party prioritizes intensive coaching for schools that have not been able to manage waste properly. Administrative sanctions, he said, will be the last option in the event of environmental pollution.

Our approach is coaching first. But supervision is still carried out strictly, because the environmental impact of waste management negligence can be very large," said Hanif.

He also emphasized the importance of the role of regional heads in supervising the implementation of MBG in their respective regions. According to him, the firmness of regional leaders is a key factor in keeping this nutritious program from causing new environmental problems.

The curvature does not recognize tolerance. Just a little leniency is given, the impact can be very large. So, regional heads must be firm in ensuring that MBG waste is handled properly," concluded Hanif.