Jakarta (Greeners) – Approaching Asia’s largest multi-sport event in Indonesia, a senior official on Friday said that the event will be a less waste event.
“We [Ministry of Environment and Forestry] will apply less waste concept in Asian Games where as little as possible to produce waste and toxic waste. My meeting today with colleagues from INASGOC [Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee] and stakeholders from DKI Jakarta and South Sumatra administration, and Palembang environmental agency, to unite the visions for less waste concept can be implemented at 2018 Asian Games,” said Novrizal Tahar, waste management director at ministry of environment and forestry, in Jakarta.
The 2018 Asian Games will be held on August 18 to September 2 in two cities, Jakarta of DKI Jakarta province and Palembang of South Sumatra province.
“We want to show that Indonesia has different approach on environment and contingent [of athletes] and international [world] can see that impression aside from competing,” Tahar said.
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He added that the organizing committee have made preparations to ensure the successful of the concept and to educate athletes, coaches and public.
“The concept is prohibition, no punishment given. There are possible to catch littering in the act but no punishment or chargers. The aim is to reduce waste through public education,” he added.
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Teuku Arlan Perkasa Lukman, director of venue and environment department at the organizing committee, said that public education is important to form environmentally friendly behavior, such as bring own tumbler, bring own bags, and no littering. The aim of the concept, Lukman said, is to reduce waste from visitors.
“The organizing committee cannot work by ourselves, so we coordinate with ministry of environment and forestry and experts or consultants to provide ideas to tackle waste issues in Asian Games,” he said. “Of course, public support is important to preserve the venues and making Asian Games as successful.”
Based on the trial report, an estimated 600 kilograms of waste per day will be produced at Athlete’s Village in Kemayoran, 15 garbage bags per day at Archery Venue in Bung Karno Stadium, 30 garbage bags per day at Athletic Venue in Bung Karno Stadium, and 20 garbage bags per day in Volley Ball in Bung Karno Stadium.
Syaiful Rochman, less waste event expert, underlined a few notes for the implementation of the concept. “Lack of coordination between stakeholders in the tasks and responsibilities, garbage bins and sanitary officials during the games, all must be solved,” said Rochman.
Reports by Dewi Purningsih
21 Apr 2024 
