Home / Environment / Indonesia's Garbage Mountain to Get a Facelift, Uprooting Lives
Indonesia's Garbage Mountain to Get a Facelift, Uprooting Lives
27 Jul
Summary
- Thousands of waste pickers risk livelihoods as landfill transforms.
- Bantargebang landfill is a major emitter of heat-trapping methane.
- New waste management aims to reduce pollution and curb emissions.
Thousands of Indonesians who earn a living by sifting through mountains of garbage face an uncertain future as the nation's largest landfill, Bantargebang, undergoes a significant transformation. Starting August 1, the site will transition from open dumping to a controlled system as part of a national waste management initiative.
This policy aims to improve environmental health, reduce pollution, and curb methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Researchers have identified Bantargebang as a major methane emitter, placing it at the forefront of Indonesia's waste management reforms. The landfill, operating since 1989, has drifted into open dumping after a contract ended in 2016.
The transition to a controlled system requires residents to separate recyclables and organic waste, a practice many are unfamiliar with. This shift, while environmentally necessary, raises concerns for the estimated 600,000 waste pickers nationwide, including over 4,000 at Bantargebang, who rely on salvaged materials for income.
Bantargebang, now a human-made mountain of waste, is also nearing its capacity limit, with a recent collapse highlighting the risks. Experts emphasize that reducing organic waste can lower emissions, but existing landfills will require long-term monitoring. The government hopes the reforms will eventually lead to safer jobs in recycling and composting.
