Textile colossus confronts defeat in historic Central Java pollution lawsuit brought forth by local communities
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In the farming district of Sukoharjo, on the island of Java, the picturesque village of Gupit has been grappling with an unusual blight since around 2017. The once-abundant skies, filled with the chirping of doves and finches, have fallen eerily silent, and the local aquatic life has shown signs of decline.
The culprit, it seems, is a factory. PT Rayon Utama Makmur (RUM), a subsidiary of Indonesia's largest textile group Sritex, opened its doors in 2017 to supply rayon fibers, also known as viscose, to the global fast fashion industry.
The factory's operations have been linked to several environmental and health concerns. A community group called Sumbu has documented air pollution from carbon disulfide gas in seven subdistricts across Central Java since RUM started work in 2017. This toxic gas is a byproduct of viscose production.
Moreover, anecdotal testimony suggests that the catch of important sources of locally available protein, such as barb, catfish, perch, and snakehead, dried up not long after RUM began operations. Residents have also complained that the liquid waste from the factory contaminated local irrigation.
In response to these concerns, the Supreme Court in Jakarta ruled that RUM had acted unlawfully by polluting the air and water. The court ordered RUM to conduct environmental restoration work, which will be overseen by the Sukoharjo district environment department. The company was also instructed to install and/or repair air and liquid waste-processing units.
However, RUM ceased operations in mid-2023, and Sritex itself declared bankruptcy in March 2023 due to missed debt repayments. This has left more than 10,000 workers jobless.
The community is concerned that company assets might only be mothballed and later revived under new management, potentially bringing a return of the pollution. Sarmi, one of the 185 residents who joined in the class-action lawsuit against Sritex's RUM, noted that there are now more cicadas, dragonflies, and butterflies outside. Yet, countless families have endured compromised mental health and loss of sleep for years due to the toxic gas, according to Slamet Riyadi, a spokesperson for the plaintiffs.
Without specific documented studies or reports, no direct evidence or confirmed impact statements about PT Rayon Utama Makmur and Gupit village can be offered from the searched information. However, general knowledge suggests that rayon production processes often involve chemicals that can pollute water bodies if not properly managed. Pollution from rayon factories can lead to contamination of nearby rivers, potentially affecting water quality, aquatic life, and the health of communities relying on the river for drinking water, fishing, or agriculture.
If more detailed or updated local environmental assessments, health surveys, or government reports become available, they would provide a factual basis for evaluating the actual impact on Gupit village and the Bengawan Solo River.
- Corporate responsibility must include addressing environmental concerns, as demonstrated by the pollution from PT Rayon Utama Makmur's operations in Gupit, leading to health-and-wellness issues for the local community.
- In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), industries like manufacturing should prioritize water security by properly managing waste, as improper disposal can lead to contamination of water bodies, as seen in Gupit village.
- Environmental science plays a crucial role in understanding the impact of industries on the environment and communities, such as the potential pollution from rayon factories and its effects on aquatic life and water quality.
- Finance institutions should consider the long-term environmental and social impacts when investing in companies, as the bankruptcy of Sritex left more than 10,000 workers jobless and the potential for continued environmental degradation in Sukoharjo.
- Addressing climate-change issues requires collaboration between industries, environmental-science experts, and policy-makers to implement sustainable practices, demonstrated by the need for the Supreme Court's intervention in the case of PT Rayon Utama Makmur.
