Residents of Palangka Raya Can Be Fined up to IDR 1 Million for Not Complying with Garbage Collection Hours

DLH officers conduct surveillance at one of the TPS in Palangka Raya. ANTARA/HO-Diskominfo Kota Palangka Raya

PALANGKA RAYA - The Palangka Raya City Environmental Service (DLH), Central Kalimantan, has confirmed that it will take action and impose strict sanctions on people who throw away garbage indiscriminately or not in the designated place and time.

Acting Head of the Palangka Raya City Environmental Service, Berlianto, said violations of waste disposal rules could be subject to a maximum one-month imprisonment or a fine of up to Rp. 1 million in accordance with applicable regulations. He asked the public to comply with the rules for the sake of cleanliness and environmental order.

The provisions on garbage disposal hours and sanctions for violators are regulated in Regional Regulation Number 1 of 2017 concerning Waste Management and Sanitation and the Mayor's Regulation Number 43 of 2017 concerning Garbage Disposal Operating Hours.

"Waste disposal at temporary waste disposal (TPS) or waste depots is set to start from 16.00 WIB to 07.00 WIB," he explained in Palangka Raya, Antara, Wednesday, February 18.

The regulation also emphasizes the prohibition of throwing, piling up, or storing garbage on the road, green lanes, parks, river banks, channels, public facilities, or similar places.

Berlianto admitted that residents were still found to be throwing garbage in the wrong place, including in illegal TPS, and not complying with the disposal time that had been set. The DLH is committed to following up on every report from the public regarding the existence of illegal TPS as a form of response to public concern as well as an effort to improve sustainably.

As a follow-up to handling illegal TPS, the Palangka Raya City DLH will also carry out a joint activity with the community through the Clean Friday Movement. According to him, environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility for the comfort and better quality of life of residents.

In addition to enforcement, DLH invites the public to start sorting organic and inorganic waste from households. Sorting is considered to reduce the volume of waste entering the TPS and have a positive impact on the environment. Waste with economic value is urged to be channeled to waste banks in their respective neighborhoods.

The Palangka Raya City DLH continues to intensify waste management education for the community. With good management, in addition to reducing waste piles, this effort is also expected to increase residents' awareness of the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness.