Indonesia is preparing to phase out the Bantar Gebang landfill by 2027, a move intended to address the mounting waste crisis in Jakarta, the world’s largest city. The transition away from open dumping toward waste-to-energy incineration threatens the livelihoods of approximately 10,000 waste pickers who rely on the site for income, according to the Jakarta environmental agency and local reports.
The Future of Bantar Gebang and Waste Management
Bantar Gebang, which receives 8,000 tons of refuse daily via 1,400 trucks, has reached its capacity. The government’s strategy involves a gradual shift: residents must now separate organic waste, which will be diverted from the landfill. By 2027, the site is slated to accept only “residual waste,” which will be processed in a new waste-to-energy plant designed to incinerate trash for electricity production. The state investment agency, Danantara, has plans for over 30 similar facilities across Indonesia, including a project currently under construction in Bali.
Economic Risks for Informal Waste Workers
For thousands of families, the landfill is an essential, albeit hazardous, economic hub. Workers like 55-year-old Rasta, who has worked at the site since it opened in 1989, emphasize the physical dangers of the profession. Earlier this year, seven people died when a waste mound collapsed. Despite these risks, the site provides a consistent, daily income for families like Andi and his wife, Winah, who earn between 100,000 and 200,000 rupiah (AU$8–16) per day. Experts, including Nur Azizah of Gadjah Mada University, warn that closing the site without established, functional alternatives could lead to widespread urban pollution.
Did you know?
The Bantar Gebang landfill spans more than 100 hectares (247 acres) and has been a primary waste destination for Jakarta since 1989.
Lessons from the Bali Waste Transition
The push to eliminate open dumping has already faced logistical challenges in other parts of Indonesia. When authorities closed the Suwung landfill in Bali to organic waste in April, the lack of infrastructure led to piles of rotting trash in streets and rivers. The resulting public health concerns, exacerbated by the burning of waste, forced the local government to partially reopen the site to organic materials. Critics argue that the multi-billion dollar cost of new incinerators, combined with the lack of widespread waste segregation practices, makes the government’s 2027 timeline for Jakarta highly ambitious.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is the government closing Bantar Gebang? The site is over capacity, and the government aims to modernize waste management by replacing open dumping with waste-to-energy incineration.
- What happens to the waste pickers? Their future remains uncertain. Many, like Andi, express fear that the closure will remove their only source of income.
- What is “residual waste”? This is the material that remains after organic and recyclable items have been sorted out, destined for incineration.
Pro Tip:
Understanding the transition to a circular economy requires looking beyond the landfill itself. Proper waste segregation at the household level is considered the most critical factor in making waste-to-energy plants viable.
Have thoughts on the future of waste management in Jakarta? Share your perspective in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for ongoing updates on environmental policy in Indonesia.
