Enviro News Asia, Sidoarjo – Vice Minister of Environment and Vice Head of the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH), Diaz Hendropriyono, conducted a field review to monitor the progress of government-imposed administrative sanctions at several rest areas along the Trans-Java toll road. The inspection aims to anticipate increased waste generation ahead of the upcoming holiday travel season.
The Vice Minister stated that the visit was intended to evaluate both waste management practices and the progress of administrative sanctions issued by KLH/BPLH, which have a compliance deadline set for May. The sanctions were imposed following earlier inspections during the 2025 Christmas and New Year holiday period, targeting rest areas that failed to meet proper waste management standards.
The review covered several locations, including Rest Area KM 487 A in Boyolali, Rest Area KM 519 A in Sragen, Rest Area KM 725 A in Gresik, and Rest Area KM 754 A in Sidoarjo.
The monitoring activity focused on ensuring improved waste management practices, particularly in waste sorting and reducing the volume of waste sent to final disposal sites (TPA). The Vice Minister emphasized that waste separation is a critical component, especially for organic waste, which tends to dominate in rest area environments due to food-related activities.
He stressed that waste should not be mixed and highlighted the need for proper sorting systems to handle the higher volume of organic waste generated by restaurants and food outlets in rest areas.
Furthermore, Diaz Hendropriyono encouraged stronger collaboration among stakeholders, including rest area operators and PT Jasa Marga, to work with third-party partners in improving waste management systems. He also suggested coordination with local Environmental Agencies to ensure effective implementation and oversight.
In addition to enforcing sanctions, the Vice Minister called on travelers to actively participate in waste sorting by using the designated bins for organic, inorganic, and hazardous waste already provided at rest areas.
As part of efforts to promote environmental awareness, the Vice Minister distributed reusable lunch boxes and tumblers to travelers, encouraging them to reduce reliance on single-use plastics during their journeys.
The visit was accompanied by Deputy for Environmental Governance and Sustainable Natural Resources Sigit Reliantoro, Deputy for Pollution and Environmental Damage Control Rasio Ridho Sani, as well as Expert Staff Erik Teguh Primiantoro and Noer Adi Wardjojo. (*)
