sampah

Sampah is a term used in Indonesian and Malay to refer to materials that are discarded after use. It covers solid waste generated by households, businesses, and institutions, as well as certain liquid effluents depending on local classifications. The word translates roughly to garbage, trash, refuse, or waste.

Generally, sampah is categorized by origin and composition. Domestic or household sampah includes everyday waste from homes. Organic sampah consists of biodegradable matter such as food scraps and yard waste. Non-organic sampah includes plastics, metals, glass, and textiles. Some classifications also define hazardous or toxic waste (sampah B3) and medical waste.

Management often follows waste management hierarchy: minimize generation, segregate at source, collect and transport, recover resources, and dispose safely. Common methods include recycling, composting of organic waste, incineration, and sanitary landfilling. In many places, waste segregation at source improves recycling rates and reduces landfill volume.

Environmental and health concerns arise when sampah is not properly managed. Litter can clog waterways and harm ecosystems; methane emissions from anaerobic decomposition in landfills contribute to climate change; improper handling can spread disease. Proper collection systems and public participation are essential.

Policy and practice vary by country. In Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia, efforts focus on formal waste management systems, informal waste pickers, and community-based programs such as waste banks and recycling initiatives. The concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R) is commonly promoted, along with improving sorting and infrastructure.