With the second largest rainforest in the world (second only to Brazil), Indonesia sure has a lot of green to be proud of. But with a rising economy and huge increase in its production sector, how does a community address the darker side of quick growth? Read on to learn about some responsible and conscientious citizens who comprise a community action group dedicated to cleaning up the streets of bukittinggi, literally. Everyone, the Sampah Rangers are here to take out the trash.
Litter and trash (sampah) is a really big problem in Indonesia. Many communities in Indonesia today just don't have an organized way to handle it. And unlike the U.S., there aren't too many landfills (which in one way is a good thing). In my hosti city, Bukittinggi, trash is usually just gathered in a bunch together and burned. Sometimes the smoke can get really overwhelming in certain areas with large burn pies (such as a school burning its trash away). What is left over is ash, but the smell can last for several minutes before it's gone.
In smaller villages, getting rid of trash this way may actually be the best method, since there is usually just too much distance between people to set up something that is organized by the community.
