On the outskirts of Jakarta, colossal mounds of refuse stretch across more than 100 hectares, dominating the landscape for nearby communities. This vast expanse is Bantar Gebang, one of Asia’s largest landfills, where a continuous convoy of trucks unloads approximately 8,000 tonnes of the capital’s rubbish each day. The sheer volume of waste has pushed the site well beyond its operational capacity, prompting urgent action from the Indonesian government.
For thousands of people, Bantar Gebang is not merely a landfill but a source of income. These waste pickers, often living on the fringes of the site, sift through the incoming rubbish, salvaging scraps for resale. This perilous work, however, comes with significant risks; earlier this year, seven individuals tragically lost their lives when a section of a massive trash mound collapsed, burying them. Despite the dangers, for many, like 55-year-old Rasta, the work is a necessity: “If we don’t take the risk, well, then we don’t eat.”
The future for these communities is now uncertain as the Indonesian government plans to gradually close Bantar Gebang from 2027. This decision, driven by the site’s critical overcapacity and increasing environmental concerns, raises significant questions about where Jakarta’s burgeoning waste will go and, crucially, what will become of the thousands who depend on the landfill for their survival. Individuals such as Andi, 29, and his wife Winah, 43, who earns around 100,000 to 200,000 rupiah (approximately £5-£10) daily, highlight the delicate balance between environmental necessity and economic reality.
The challenge at Bantar Gebang is emblematic of a wider issue across Indonesia, where public concern about waste pollution in rivers, beaches, and streets has been escalating. This growing awareness, particularly among younger generations, has led to increased opposition to traditional waste disposal methods, including the burning of refuse. In February of this year, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto declared a national “war” on waste, spurred in part by international criticism, including remarks from South Korean leaders regarding the cleanliness of the popular tourist island of Bali.
In response to these mounting pressures, Indonesia’s Environment Ministry has instructed local governments to phase out all landfills that practise open dumping. This directive includes the establishment of sorting facilities for organic and recyclable materials, aiming to modernise waste management practices and reduce the environmental footprint of cities like Jakarta. The closure of Bantar Gebang is a critical step in this national effort, but the transition poses significant logistical and social challenges that the government must address.