PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Waste management at Caringin Main Market is back in the spotlight. This long-standing problem has now reached its peak with the presence of mountains of garbage, a pungent odor, and conditions that disrupt market operations.

The market managed by the Caringin Trade Center Management Agency (BP3C) is considered to have not optimally fulfilled its waste management obligations according to regulations. The Bandung City Government (Pemkot) has taken firm steps to address this problem.

Caringin Central Market, as a private market managed by BP3C, should fulfill its waste management obligations independently. This is in accordance with Law No. 18 of 2008 concerning Waste Management, Government Regulation No. 81 of 2012, and Bandung City Regional Regulation No. 9 of 2018.

As a 14-hectare private market that operates 24 hours, Pasar Induk Caringin produces a large volume of waste every day. Because the BP3C which manages waste from upstream to downstream is not yet optimal, especially processing waste independently, so that waste transportation to the Sarimukti TPA is still needed, cooperation is carried out with the Bandung City Government.

The implementation of the cooperation has been going on for a very long time, namely since the beginning of the operation of the Caringin Main Market with PD. Kebersihan of Bandung City and is currently continuing with the UPT Waste Management of the Bandung City DLH.

The situation became more complicated after the Sarimukti Landfill fire in August 2023, which led to restrictions on waste transportation in Bandung City, including from the Caringin Main Market, from nine trips per day to three trips.

To reduce the pile of waste, the Bandung City DLH Waste Management UPT carried out empties in January 2024 with a total volume of 2,616 cubic meters.

The handling fee of Rp376 million is the responsibility of BP3C, which has proposed payment in installments over 24 months. However, until December 2024, the problem of the old pile of garbage of 4,000 cubic meters has still not been resolved.

Before the condition of the pile of garbage went viral on various social media, a field review had been conducted by the Regional Secretary (Sekda) of West Java Province and the Acting Mayor of Bandung to the Caringin Main Market in October 2024, with the condition of the pile of garbage that was found to be old and piled up, indicating that the waste generated from the Caringin Main Market had not been managed properly.

In addition, the surrounding community from four RW in Kopo and Babakan Ciparay Sub-districts are known to have also dumped waste into the market's TPS. The Bandung City DLH is now closely monitoring waste disposal activities in the area.

Furthermore, supervision was carried out by the Bandung City Environmental Service team on December 18, 2024, including:

1. The waste at the TPS behind the Caringin Main Market has reached capacity/overloaded, disrupting the road for market operational activities, so the management has created an additional temporary TPS in front of the market to maintain the operational continuity of the Caringin Main Market.

2. The condition of the TPS has seen a fairly high accumulation of garbage, causing odor and gas. The results of the meeting with the Regional Secretary of West Java Province, the Caringin Main Market must still be required to have Waste Management Innovation and Technology;

3. There are 1,800 m2 of land in West Java Province which, according to the Caringin Main Market management, can be used for innovation and waste management.

4. Caringin Main Market operates 24 hours with an area of 14 hectares.

Waste management at the Caringin Central Market is clear when viewed from the regulatory aspect, so a discussion meeting was held with the Indonesian Ministry of Environment on December 30, 2024 and was also attended by the Caringin Trade Center Management Agency (BP3C). The results of the discussion meeting are as follows:

1. Emptying 4,000 m³ of old waste within 14 days.
2. Prohibition on adding new waste to old landfill sites.
3. Preparation of environmental documents in the form of Environmental Evaluation Documents (DELH) by BP3C.

If BP3C fails to fulfill these obligations, legal sanctions will be imposed, including environmental crimes.

The government emphasized that waste management should not only be seen from the physical condition, but also from compliance with regulations and a sense of justice for the community.

Enforcement of the rules is a priority, based on the Bandung Mayor's Warning Letter and the Decree of the Head of the Bandung City Environmental Agency which refers to administrative sanctions imposed by the government.

This problem is not only about the piling up of waste, but also about compliance with regulations. BP3C as the manager of commercial areas is required to manage waste independently in accordance with Law No. 18 of 2008, PP No. 81 of 2012, and Bandung City Regulation No. 9 of 2018.

With these steps, it is hoped that the waste problem at Caringin Main Market can be handled comprehensively, providing a positive impact on the environment and surrounding residents.