Ministry, Jasa Marga collaborate to manage waste in rest areas

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Environment is collaborating with state-owned toll road operator Jasa Marga to improve waste management, including in rest areas, during the 2025 Eid al-Fitr homecoming period.

"Out of the area managers that we visited, only the president director of Jasa Marga has taken quick action and cooperated with us in handling the waste," Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq remarked.

The minister made the statement during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Jasa Marga at Rest Area 57, Karawang District, West Java, on Wednesday.

He noted that achieving the target of 50 percent waste management this year requires cooperation from all parties, including area managers, such as Jasa Marga, with 27 rest areas under its management.

Nurofiq noted that for the early stage, the 27 rest areas will be the focus of attention, though he expressed hope that it can cover all rest areas in the country.

He called on rest areas to manage waste, encouraging Jasa Marga to issue warnings and impose sanctions on those who violate the rules related to waste management in rest areas, in addition to having adequate waste management facilities.

On the same occasion, Jasa Marga President Director Subakti Syukur expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Ministry of Environment for waste management in rest areas.

"We hope the waste management can become more effective, and we hope to have a positive impact on the environment," he remarked.

The Ministry of Transportation has projected that 146.48 million Indonesians will participate in the 2025 Eid al-Fitr homecoming exodus.

According to the Environment Ministry's National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN), 33.5 million tons of waste were generated across Indonesia in 2024, based on reports from 309 districts and cities.

Out of the total, the quantity of unmanaged waste amounted to 13.47 million tons.