The Makassar City Government is actively seeking technological innovations to address increasingly urgent waste management challenges. This strategic step is taken as part of crucial preparations to phase out open dumping at the Final Processing Site (TPA), targeted for completion by August 2026.
As a concrete effort, Deputy Mayor of Makassar, Aliyah Mustika Ilham, alongside the Head of the Makassar City Environmental Service (DLH), Helmy Budiman, conducted a working visit to PT Enviro Mas Sejahtera in Denpasar, Bali. During the visit, the local government studied the SOMYA Digester system, an organic waste processing machine claimed to possess extraordinary speed in converting waste into compost within 4 to 8 hours, far outpacing conventional composting methods that take months.
Head of the Makassar City DLH, Helmy Budiman, emphasized that this technology is highly relevant given that around 60 percent of Makassar's waste is dominated by organic waste. The main advantage of the SOMYA Digester lies in its ability to reduce waste volume by up to 90 percent. This means that out of 100 kilograms of waste, only 10 kilograms of compost residue remain. The process is also claimed to be environmentally friendly as it operates without incineration, generating no harmful methane emissions or pungent odors.
This technology is designed with a practical touch-screen (HMI) operational system and does not require extensive space. Thus, the machine is ideal for deployment in various public facilities, commercial areas, and other community service centers. Technology developer Agung Ngurah Panji Astika stated that this innovation is designed to create a more modern and sustainable waste management system at the regional level.
Deputy Mayor of Makassar, Aliyah Mustika Ilham, stressed that this visit reflects the government's commitment to adopting best practices in waste management. Moving forward, the Makassar City Government projects that the landfill will only receive residual waste, while organic waste will be processed independently at its source. It is hoped that the integration of this technology will accelerate environmental system improvements in Makassar while enhancing service quality for local residents.
