Jakarta's Trash Crisis: Landfills Overflowing

Greater Jakarta is grappling with a significant waste crisis, as the metropolis and its surrounding areas, home to 42 million people, produce up to 14,000 tonnes of garbage each day. This immense volume is overwhelming the region's landfill sites, many of which are now at or near capacity. Residents are experiencing the direct impact through foul odors and unsightly garbage accumulation, affecting local businesses and daily life.

The escalating waste problem has led to dangerous situations, including waste avalanches. In one instance, a landslide at the Cipayung landfill in Depok caused waste to enter a river, submerging a bridge and forcing locals to use makeshift rafts. Historically, similar incidents have resulted in fatalities, such as the 2005 garbage avalanche in Cimahi that killed 143 people.

President Prabowo Subianto has warned that nearly all of Indonesia's landfills will be full by 2028. The government plans to close several landfills and invest billions in waste-to-energy plants. However, experts caution that these plants will not address the crucial need for waste reduction and sorting at the household level, indicating a long-standing and complex issue involving public awareness, policy, and enforcement.