PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Mayor of Bandung, Muhammad Farhan, invited the public to instill awareness of waste management in children from an early age.

He conveyed this while attending the Ramadan 1447 Hijriah program entitled "Make 1000 Orphans Happy" held by the Darul Hikam Foundation at the Ultima Horison Hotel Bandung, Monday (9/3/2026).

On that occasion, Farhan mentioned the importance of educating children about sorting organic and non-organic waste as a first step in addressing the waste problem in Bandung City.

According to him, Bandung City is currently facing a major challenge related to increasing organic waste, particularly from food waste. One source of this comes from the free nutritious meal program (MBG) currently running in various schools.

"Especially now, in order to support President Prabowo's Free Nutritious Meals program, schoolchildren receiving the program generate significant amounts of food waste," said Farhan.

He explained that there are currently around 222 kitchens or Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) in Bandung City, serving thousands of students daily. In practice, large amounts of leftover food are often found in the dining areas, collected after communal meals.

To address this issue, the Bandung City Government is currently designing a food waste processing system directly within the school environment.

"Going forward, we will work together to ensure that this leftover food is not returned to the kitchen or to the SPPG. Instead, it is processed at each school, or at least sorted there first," he explained.

If the school does not have organic waste processing facilities, the regional government through the sub-district will help manage the waste.

"If the school is unable to build a facility to process its organic waste, the local authority from the sub-district will take over the waste to be processed in its area," he said.

This step is part of the Bandung City Government's major target to ensure that no organic waste is disposed of in final disposal sites (TPA).

"To achieve the target, no organic waste will be transported to landfills. All waste must be disposed of in each region, including schools," said Farhan.

Farhan believes that waste sorting education should start with children. By understanding the difference between organic and non-organic waste from an early age, it is hoped that this habit will carry over into adulthood.

He cited developed countries such as Japan and Denmark as examples, which have succeeded in managing waste effectively because the culture of sorting is already deeply ingrained in society.

"Everything starts with sorting. If we skip the sorting education process, our downstream waste processing technology won't be optimal," he said.

On that occasion, Farhan also invited the community to not only show concern for orphans through material assistance, but also through education and empowerment.

According to him, providing knowledge and skills to children is an important provision for their future so that they can grow into independent individuals.

"When we do good to these children, whatever we give them, whether it be money, food, educational tools, or knowledge, will become provisions for their future and, God willing, will become a continuous charity for us," he said.

Farhan also expressed his appreciation to the Darul Hikam Foundation for its commitment to organizing social activities that provide attention to orphans.

He also hoped that the children present would continue to pray for the safety and prosperity of the city of Bandung.

"To my beloved orphans, I only ask that you send sincere prayers for the safety of Bandung City and the well-being of its citizens," said Farhan. (Bandung City Communications and Information Office/rka)