TULUNGAGUNG – A fuel shortage in Tulungagung has disrupted garbage truck operations and caused trash to pile up at several temporary disposal sites, creating serious sanitation concerns for nearby residents.
At first, many people believed broken machines had stopped the waste collection service. However, the main issue turned out to be diesel fuel access for garbage trucks operated by the Environmental Agency (DLH).
Several trucks could not purchase subsidized diesel because of problems in the barcode verification system used at gas stations. This administrative issue slowed waste collection services and affected daily operations for nearly a month.
As a result, garbage began piling up in several locations across Tulungagung. The condition became especially serious in Bago Village, Tulungagung District, where residents finally protested by blocking access to one temporary disposal site.
They said uncollected waste had overflowed onto nearby roads and spread closer to residential areas. The growing piles created strong odors and raised fears of air pollution and disease.
Local resident Palupi said she asked officers directly about the delayed garbage collection because the situation had become difficult for families living nearby.
“The main problem is the trucks do not have diesel fuel. The drivers said the diesel barcode could not be processed,” she said.
She explained that garbage trucks now arrive only once every four days to inspect conditions. In normal situations, the trucks collect waste every day to prevent overflow.
Because of the delay, many residents must live near rotting garbage for several days. This condition has made daily activities uncomfortable, especially for children and elderly people.
Another resident, Hasan, also described the worsening situation around the disposal site. He said people had no choice but to endure the smell and dirty environment.
“Sometimes the truck only comes once every four days. Sometimes only one truck arrives. The reason is the fuel problem,” Hasan said.
He added that the problem becomes worse during hot weather because the smell from the waste spreads faster and attracts insects around nearby homes.
The delayed waste collection has increased sanitation risks. Residents worry that standing waste could trigger disease outbreaks if the problem continues for too long.
Ginanjar Eko Santoso, Head of Waste Management at the Environmental Agency, confirmed that the fuel issue had affected several vehicles in the fleet.
However, he denied reports that all garbage trucks had stopped operating. According to him, only some vehicles faced difficulties buying diesel fuel.
He explained that changes in the barcode purchasing system at gas stations caused the delay. Some trucks still need approval and verification from Pertamina before they can buy fuel again.
“Some vehicles are still waiting for barcode verification from Pertamina. After that, the garbage trucks can operate normally again,” he said.
The local government hopes the verification process will finish soon so garbage collection services can return to normal across affected areas.
Officials also want to prevent further public complaints and reduce health risks caused by trash accumulation in residential neighborhoods.
Residents, meanwhile, continue asking for faster action. They want the government to solve the fuel problem quickly and ensure garbage trucks return to their normal daily schedule.
For local communities, regular waste collection is not only about cleanliness but also about protecting public health and maintaining a safe living environment.