Ministry of Environment and Forestry Invites the Public to Join Hari Peduli Sampah

21 February will be Hari Peduli Sampah Nasional, which translates to the National Concern for Trash Day. Accordingly, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry is asking the public to partake in

BERGERAK Untuk Indonesia #BebasSampah2020 (Take Action for Indonesia #FreeofTrash2020), where volunteers take charge through different initiatives each year; this year's action to carry out clean ups at sites spanning the nation, from cities, beaches, mountains, to tourist areas.

This movement was born to remember the tragic event that took place in West Java in 2005, where a landslide of garbage left hundreds of people from Cilimus and Pojok dead. Today, nearly 11 years after the tragedy, Indonesia still suffers from the problem of trash with its lack of awareness and understanding of the 3Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle. What is even more upsetting is that Indonesia is recognized as a country that significantly contributes to global trash production. According to the Wildlife Education Center, Indonesia produces 11,330 tonnes of trash per day. Another finding by Jenna R. Jambeck from the University of Georgia, states that Indonesia currently holds second place as the country that produces the most plastic waste in the oceans.

Although many people remain unmotivated to take action in the fight against trash, some groups are working to raise awareness of this issue through ways like clean ups and social media campaigns. Aside from the social media campaign #BebasSampah2020 and their national clean-up this month, other groups like one in Bandung are developing an application called bebasssampah.id, which the public can use to send information regarding trash.