Waste recycling center to be built in Labuan Bajo

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (AntaraNews NTT) - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry will soon build a waste recycling center in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai District, to address the waste problem in one of Indonesia`s 10 priority tourism destinations.

East Nusa Tenggara Tourism Office Chief for Tourism Promotion Eden Klakik remarked here on Monday (18/6) that construction of the recycling center will also be continued along with waste management in Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park and procurement of waste transporting vessels.

He noted that the trash problem in Labuan Bajo has become a serious issue, which is constantly highlighted by tourists, business players, and the central government.

"The output of various types of garbage in Labuan Bajo City to date has reached 112 cubic meters per day," he noted.

It means the problem of waste in Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park has become a serious concern for the central government, he reiterated.

Baca juga: Komodo National Park anticipates garbage heap during Lebaran holiday

In the meantime, Komodo National Park Authority Chief Sudiyono noted that garbage production in the park area had reached 650 kilograms per day, of which plastic waste constituted 27 percent; paper waste, 29 percent; glass waste, one percent; food waste, one percent; and residual waste from construction activities, 41 percent.

Based on analysis of the Komodo National Park Authority, he noted that most of the garbage piles are in Komodo Island, such as in Komodo Village and Loh Liang Tourism spot and Rinca Island in Pasir Panjang Village and Loh Buaya Tourism area.

Waste handling efforts have been undertaken at tourist sites, such as Loh Liang and Loh Buaya, by hoarding for organic trash types.

Garbage is being handled regularly through beach clean-up activities at tourist sites, such as Pulau Padar and Gili Lawa.