Baliho Terpajang, Janji Menghilang
Haristo Teddy Ramadhani
Content Writer
Every election season, cities are filled with campaign props (APK) such as billboards and banners scattered on various street corners. During the campaign period, these billboards become the main tool for candidates to attract voters. However, after the election is over, what remains are not only memories of political promises, but also piles of visual waste that pollute the environment. The remains of these unmanaged billboards not only disrupt the aesthetics of the city, but also contribute to the accumulation of waste that is difficult to decompose, adding to the burden of environmental problems.
The candidates’ billboards that are displayed in every corner of the city can no longer be ignored. From campaign tools that were originally intended to attract voters’ sympathy, they have now turned into piles of visual garbage that spoil the city’s panorama. The faces of the candidates who used to smile with big promises are now just a monotonous and tiring sight for residents. Unfortunately, the existence of these billboards often does not provide any significant educational value, so that after the election is over, they just end up as useless waste.
More than just visual pollution, these billboards also pose a real threat to the environment. There are several reasons why campaign billboards are considered serious contributors to environmental pollution. First, the main materials used in making billboards, such as vinyl and synthetic plastic, are very difficult to decompose naturally. As a result, after the campaign period is over, the remaining billboards that are left to pile up will become waste that remains in the environment for years. If not cleaned properly, they can clog drainage, contaminate the soil, or even pollute water bodies when carried by wind and rain.
Second, the environmental impact of billboards does not only appear after use, but also from the production process. Making billboards in large quantities requires significant resources, including plastic raw materials derived from petroleum and chemical inks that are not environmentally friendly. The printing process also produces waste and emissions that contribute to air and water pollution. Ironically, all of this happens only for a campaign tool that has a very short lifespan, but its impact on the environment can last a long time.
Without strict regulations and awareness from candidates to be responsible for their campaign tools, this problem will continue to recur every election season. If changes are not made soon, elections that should be a democratic event will instead leave behind piles of trash that damage the environment.
Ribuan Baliho Pilkada Kotori Malang
Ahead of the 2024 Pilkada held on November 27, 2024, Malang City, East Java, was filled with billboards and campaign banners from various candidates. The billboards with pictures of these figures were installed irregularly, creating visual waste in various corners of the city. This phenomenon not only causes discomfort for residents, but also damages the aesthetics of the city, especially because many billboards are placed in inappropriate locations, such as sidewalks, electricity poles, and even trees. The presence of these billboards disrupts the comfort of pedestrians and worsens the city’s spatial planning.
The level of compliance of candidates with existing regulations determines how campaign billboards are installed in public spaces. However, the success of a politician should not only depend on how many billboards they install, but on the substance of the work program they offer and how they build public image and trust. An effective campaign is not only about existence in visual space, but also about ideas, real actions, and closeness to the community.
Summary
The level of compliance of candidates with existing regulations determines how campaign billboards are installed in public spaces. However, the success of a politician should not only depend on how many billboards they install, but on the substance of the work program they offer and how they build public image and trust. An effective campaign is not only about existence in visual space, but also about ideas, real actions, and closeness to the community.
Every election season, cities in Indonesia are filled with campaign billboards and banners that serve as the main promotional tools for candidates. However, after the campaign period ends, these billboards turn into visual waste that litters the city and damages the environment. With primary materials that are difficult to decompose, such as vinyl and synthetic plastic, billboard waste adds to the environmental pollution problem. In addition, the environmentally unfriendly production process also leaves a trail of pollution that has long-term impacts. Unfortunately, without strict regulations and accountability from the candidates, this cycle will continue to repeat itself in every election.
If elections are a celebration of democracy, then the scattered remains of billboards are clear evidence that we have not yet finished celebrating it wisely. For the sake of a better environment, awareness is needed from all parties—both the government, candidates, and the community—to ensure that campaign tools are not only politically effective, but also ecologically responsible. Without change, every election will only leave a trail of promises that disappear and trash that persists.
Hubungi kami
Bumandhala Consultant Group Team. Environmental and Engineering Consulting Company. Visit our website at https://bumandhalaconsultantgroup.com/