Adam Prireza, Jakarta – Jakarta Environment Agency has managed 1,213 kilograms of disposable face mask waste from households from April to December 2020, reported the agency acting head Syaripudin in a written statement on Tuesday, Dec. 15.

"From the onset of the [Covid-19] pandemic in April, Jakarta has handled infectious waste from households on a routine basis," said Syaripudin, asserting that it was aimed at preventing potential transmission of coronavirus.

The agency's head of hazardous and toxic waste (B3 waste) management, Rosa Ambarsari, said officers sorted and collected infectious waste, such as used medical masks from households.

The city Environment Agency was working with a licensed waste processor firm to dispose of the trash. "Used masks are categorized as infectious waste. They should be disposed of through incineration," Rosa explained.

Rosa appealed to the public, especially housewives, to sort face masks and medical waste during the pandemic. Such waste, she added, should be first sprayed with disinfectant and packaged before being disposed of and then handled by the Environment Agency.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1414858/jakarta-handles-more-than-1000-kg-face-mask-waste-since-apri