Government Ensures Waste Management in Free Meals Program

RRI.CO.ID, Samarinda - Deputy Minister of Environment and Deputy Head of the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH), Diaz Hendropriyono, inspected wastewater management at the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) kitchen in Pasar Pagi, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, on Monday, September 14, 2026. The inspection was conducted to ensure that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) kitchen operates in compliance with environmental regulations.

Diaz said wastewater management is one of the areas monitored by KLH/BPLH as part of its support for the President’s priority program. He said the wastewater treatment system at the Pasar Pagi SPPG was properly installed and urged the operator to conduct regular tests to ensure the wastewater meets environmental quality standards.

“Whenever I travel to other cities, I make time to visit the President’s priority programs, particularly SPPG facilities, such as those in Halim, Bandung, Labuan Bajo, and Solo. We always support them, including by reviewing their wastewater management. I see that the wastewater treatment system here has been properly installed, and we urge the operator to test the wastewater quality standards every three months,” Diaz said.

KLH/BPLH previously issued Environment Ministerial Decree Number 2760 of 2025, which sets quality standards and technological requirements for domestic wastewater treatment and waste management at SPPG facilities. The regulation serves as a guideline for MBG kitchen operators to manage waste safely and in accordance with environmental carrying capacity.

The provisions were further reinforced through National Nutrition Agency Regulation Number 1 of 2026 on food waste, solid waste, and domestic wastewater generated by the Free Nutritious Meals Program. Under the regulation, SPPG operators are required to manage waste in accordance with established standards, including food waste and domestic waste.

During the inspection, Diaz said wastewater management at the Pasar Pagi SPPG was operating properly, including the use of a grease trap and a settling process before wastewater is discharged into the environment. Domestic waste is also sorted, with some organic waste being used as animal feed.

“We saw that waste management at the Pasar Pagi SPPG is also being carried out properly. The waste is sorted, and the amount of organic waste is relatively small, at only 15 kilograms per day out of around 600 kilograms of total MBG food production,” he concluded.