Empowering Local Government, Positively Impacting Community: Launching of IRRC in Malang
The signing marks the beginning of IRRC operation in Malang Regency. Signing ceremony was conducted by Malang Regent Mayor Dr. H. Rendra Kresna and witnessed by UCLG ASPAC Secretary General, Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi and Mr. Sayid Muhadar, Secretary of Directorate General Waste Management of Hazardous and Toxic Materials, the Ministry of Forestry and Environment of Indonesia.
THE Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia (MOEF), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), Malang Regency, and United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) inaugurated the completion of Integrated Resource Recovery Center (IRRC) in Mantung Pujon Market, Malang Regency on 26 April 2018. IRRC is a pilot project on effective and sustainable organic waste management turning into compost and energy using environmental friendly technology. It has potential economic value from the output of organic fertilizer and electricity that can be used by the surroundings low-income
communities. This Mantung facility in Malang Regency is the second facility after Jambi facility that was launched in January 2018. The facility was inaugurated by Regent Mayor of Malang, Dr. H Rendra Kresna, attended by Secretary of Directorate General Waste Management of Hazardous and Toxic Materials, Mr. Sayid Muhadar; Director of Waste Management, Mr. Novrizal Tahar both from Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia; and Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi. Ir. Budi Ismoyo, the Head of Environmental Office from Malang Regency stated that IRRC Mantung is set to overcome the organic waste from Mantung market as well as waste from the surrounded farms. He added that the electricity produced from this facility would be transferred to the market to power up lightning and generator. Ms. Bernadia reflected the past year selection of Malang Regency as the pilot for this project which was based on strong political will from the city’s leaders and apparatus and active participation of the community. >> Involving local community, key factor for successful waste management in the city.
She further added list of potential benefits of this facility including reduction of transportation cost of waste from market to final disposal site (landfill) because most of the waste are now already treated in this facility, with long term output is to save government’s budget, and to produce electricity and compost to be used by surrounding communities, to improve health and sanitation level, and to increase job opportunity. Mr. Sayid expressed highest appreciation to the project on behalf of MOEF of the Republic Indonesia, and conveyed the message from the Director General that the Ministry would provide full support for similar initiatives thus expect UCLG ASPAC and UN ESCAP could increase the number of pilot projects in Indonesia. Regent Mayor of Malang, Dr. Rendra confirmed that he started to give more attention on waste management since he became a member of parliament of Malang Regency a couple years ago, or prior to his election as vice regent mayor and then mayor, and he keeps the commitment until now. He believes that waste management is a very crucial issue because waste, if not properly managed, could create friction between regions and society.
UCLG ASPAC has empowered local governments in the realisation of sustainable development and will continuously carry out the mission. UCLG ASPAC thanked MOEF, UN ESCAP, and Malang Regency for successfully organising the launching ceremony and taking necessary efforts in the completion and operation of IRRC that bring positively impact to local community.