Dedication of Father of ‘Trash’

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Andang Binawan SJ

The setback in the world climate change conference did not dampen the spirit of Father Andang Listya Binawan SJ, 56. Everyday, he remains faithful in ensuring grassroot awareness of the waste problem. His consistency in the fight against trash can pull down walls of differences in the community.

For 17 years, Father Andang Listya Binawan SJ has been concerned about environmental issues. His aim is simple: to make everyone see trash as something that is not to be thrown away, but rather to be used. As trash continues to accumulate on Earth, human life is shadowed by fragility.

The awareness to take responsibility in caring for our planet should be on everyone\'s mind. Concern for the environment should be part of one’s faith. The question is how to bring this about.

Concern for the environment should be part of one’s faith.

He tried to find the simplest way. If we talk about environmental issues in Jakarta, one issue that must be the focus is garbage. At that time, most people still didn\'t care about garbage. During the 2003 Indonesian Bishops Conference, the bishops stated that the waste problem was not just a social problem. The waste issue, they contended, was related to faith problems that needed the attention of the church.

In 2005, the All-Indonesian Catholic Church Assembly discussed various forms of damage caused by the waste problem. It became clear that real action was needed, which led to the idea to launch a movement to reduce waste.

Initially, the movement did not elicit enough of a response. Andang tried to find a way. In order for the waste-reducing movement to become part of everyone’s awareness, a theological concept was needed. In the environmental context, he said, producing much waste was an ecological sin. Therefore, asking for forgiveness for this ecological sin was a must.

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Andang Binawan SJ

Many people asked for an explanation about forgiveness for ecological sin. It was simple, he said, religious people should fight against consumptive behavior, because such behavior had a damaging impact on the environment.

He also checked in the field, in households, in the church and the diocese. One of the measures was to train churchgoers to sort waste. There was once a celebration at the church. When the committee prepared the meals for 10,000 people, Andang asked all the people to bring their own drinking bottles. "When the water runs out, people can refill them at the available [water dispensers]," he said. Regarding the food, the amount of packaging caught his attention. He imagined how much waste would be left at the church after the event.

Therefore, he prepared sets of four trash bins at each corner of the church. The bins were intended for paper waste, plastic spoons, plastic wrapping and plastic food containers, respectively. All people were instructed to put their garbage into the right bins.

"This made us more confident that, when everyone takes part, goals can be achieved,"

Less than an hour after the event ended, the waste was completely sorted without much effort. "This made us more confident that, when everyone takes part, goals can be achieved," he said.

Regarding the worship at the house, he routinely reminds people to bring their own drinking bottles. Likewise, when shopping at the market people are told to bring their own shopping bags. Later, the waste management movement was built. Garbage banks are managed at a number of churches in Jakarta. In fact, garbage from the surrounding settlements is stored in church trash bins.

A number of people were trained to develop a concept for environmentally friendly village management. Some of them got their neighborhoods to win awards from the Environment and Forestry Ministry. Some are trained in making biopores and developing hydroponics.

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Andang Binawan SJ

One aspect of the “ecological repentance” he also initiated is to encourage people who often travel and consume fuel to give donations for the environment. As a result, more than Rp 200 million in funds was collected, which was used to plant trees in the areas of Pamulang and Karawaci.

One of the collaboration efforts is to get young people involved in managing waste through the Youth Movement on Waste and Environment (Gropesh). The movement, which began in 2007, comprises various activities, such as training on making compost, biopores and handicraft from recycled waste.

"However, this is secondary, because, what I hope for is not economic results but a change in mindset, attitude and finally behavior," he said.

Because of his passion for handling waste, the man born in Yogyakarta is often called “Father of Trash”. He doesn’t mind the nickname, because that label has helped embed in people’s awareness the movement he launched.

Andang L Binawan SJ

Born: Yogyakarta, May 17, 1963

Education:

- Master’s degree in church law from Catholic University of America, Washington DC, AS (1994-1996)

- Master’s degree in applied ethics from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium (1997-1998)

- Doctoral degree in church-state relations from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium (1999-2002) Activity: Lecturer at Driyarkara School of Philosophy, Jakarta