Home / Environment / Jakarta Landfill Crisis: Lives and Livelihoods at Risk
Jakarta Landfill Crisis: Lives and Livelihoods at Risk
13 Jul
Summary
- Thousands live on the edge of Jakarta's largest landfill, Bantar Gebang.
- The landfill, exceeding capacity, is slated for gradual closure from 2027.
- Government plans for waste-to-energy plants face feasibility questions.
On the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia, the Bantar Gebang landfill has become a towering monument to the city's waste crisis, stretching over 100 hectares and posing significant risks to those who live and work there. Thousands of people, including families like Andi and Winah's, rely on salvaging scraps from the massive refuse heaps for their livelihoods, earning as little as AU$8-16 daily.
The Bantar Gebang site, which receives approximately 8,000 tons of garbage daily, is significantly over capacity. In response to growing waste concerns across Indonesia, the government plans to gradually close the landfill to general waste by the end of 2027. This transition involves phasing out open dumping and establishing waste-to-energy plants, a national initiative including over 30 planned facilities.
However, the planned closure raises critical questions about alternative waste management solutions and the future of the Bantar Gebang community. Experts caution that without viable alternatives ready in time, the city could face an overwhelming waste problem. Past attempts in Bali to close landfills resulted in unmanaged trash piling up, underscoring the challenges of implementing new waste strategies.
