Scavengers have an important role in waste management using circular economy principles. Scavengers remain at the forefront of packaging waste collection even though the reality is that many parties do not know and do not appreciate their existence.
This was said by the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Scavenger Association (IPI) Pris Polly Lengkong, during an iftar event with hundreds of scavengers at the IPI Secretariat, in Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta, Thursday (28/3).
Pris said that IPI was founded to fight for the rights of scavengers to receive welfare and improve their work abilities and safety. “We are also making efforts for scavengers to get e-KTPs so they can access various assistance programs from the government,” said Pris.
According to him, the welfare and work safety of scavengers needs attention because they have an important role in collecting waste, especially packaging waste for recycling. Ironically, so far there are still many people who underestimate the existence of scavengers.
The breaking of the fast together took place in an atmosphere of joy. IPI received support from Danone Aqua and distributed hundreds of aid packages containing basic necessities and packaged milk to the scavengers who attended. They are scavengers who work every day in the Bantargebang TPST area, Bekasi City, West Java. “Hopefully this aid package can ease the burden on scavengers amidst the recent soaring prices of basic necessities,” he said.
Dahrun, 54, one of the scavengers welcomed the breaking of the fast together and the attention given by IPI. “I’m very happy and thank you for the help. We didn’t expect that we would get good fortune today,” he said.
Danone Aqua Indonesia’s Packaging Circularity Senior Manager, Jeffri Ricardo, emphasized that his party is committed to supporting IPI programs. “We agree that the welfare and work safety of scavengers must receive serious attention. They are environmental heroes. “Scavengers have a big role in collecting packaging waste so that it doesn’t pollute the environment,” he said. (RO/J-2)
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