PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The West Java Provincial Government will soon implement a mandatory policy of collecting and sorting waste for all Senior High School (SMA) and Vocational School (SMK) students.
This environmental care practice will later be integrated directly into Natural Sciences (IPA) subjects.

This policy was emphasized by the Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi, after leading the West Java Berseka Alert Roll Call at the West Parking Lot of Sport Jabar Arcamanik, Bandung City, Friday (24/7/2026).

"I will implement this for all high school and vocational school students in West Java, as this level falls under the province's jurisdiction. Collecting and sorting waste will be part of the science practicals," he said.

KDM, Dedi Mulyadi's nickname, revealed that this initiative was inspired by the success of Bandung Islamic University (Unisba) in waste management. At the university, waste management is even converted and valued at the equivalent of 10 Semester Credit Units (SKS).

"Thank you to Unisba for initiating this excellent waste management program, which has been included in the 10 credit units," he added.

As a concrete commitment to realizing the Jabar Berseka (Clean, Healthy, Resik, Beautiful) program, the West Java Provincial Government will also make waste management an indicator and requirement for schools to receive education subsidies. Schools are required to sort and process organic and inorganic waste into useful products.

To support post-sorted waste circulation, the West Java Provincial Government has partnered with the private sector. "I've partnered with an industrial-scale waste management company. So, the waste sorted at schools will be transported directly to the recycling company," explained KDM.

To strengthen regulations at the community level, KDM is also preparing a Governor's Regulation (Pergub) prohibiting littering. This regulation will include strict sanctions in the form of administrative fines and penalties for violators.

"Finally, I will issue a gubernatorial regulation prohibiting littering. Violators will be subject to fines or penalties," he stressed.

Appreciation and Synergy

The West Java Berseka Alert Roll Call, which was attended by more than 4,000 participants from various elements of society, was also attended by the Coordinating Minister for Food of the Republic of Indonesia, Zulkifli Hasan.

Zulkifli expressed his deep appreciation for the West Java Provincial Government's proactive steps. "I truly appreciate the West Java Provincial Government and all elements of society who attended this roll call. I'm confident that if this kind of massive initiative continues, Indonesia will be ASRI (Safe, Healthy, Clean, Beautiful)," he said.

According to Zulkifli, the waste problem is a shared responsibility that must be addressed at its source. He advocated for strict, hierarchical regulations at the regional level.

"There must be strict regulations and synergy from the Governor, Regent, Mayor, and the community to resolve the waste problem on the spot. If we work together, I'm confident that by 2029, we can address 80 percent of the national waste problem," Zulkifli emphasized.

As a form of joint commitment, the Alert Roll Call saw the signing of the Waste Management Declaration by the Coordinating Minister for Food, the Governor of West Java, regional leaders (Mayor of Bandung, Mayor of Cimahi, Deputy Regent of Bandung, Deputy Regent of West Bandung, and Regional Secretary of Cimahi City), as well as the rectors of universities in Greater Bandung (ITB, Unisba, Digitech University, UTB, and Unikom).

The event was also marked by the handover of innovative waste processing equipment from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) from the Coordinating Minister for Food, as well as the awarding of the West Java Governor's Award Certificate to several figures and institutions that have made significant contributions to environmental governance.

KDM is optimistic that the West Java Berseka program, which runs in line with the Coordinating Ministry for Food programs, will accelerate the creation of a clean city environment.

"Currently, cities in West Java are starting to look cleaner. In the future, they will be even cleaner, in line with the Coordinating Minister for Food's program, where organic waste will be converted into organic fertilizer to support food productivity. Hopefully, this will inspire us all to move towards a Greener West Java and a Greener Indonesia," concluded Governor KDM. *pim

WEST JAVA PUBLIC RELATIONS
Head of the Communication and Information Service of West Java Province
Adi Komar