Cirebon, Indonesianpost.com – Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq announced that President Prabowo Subianto will spearhead a national movement aimed at improving waste management, with the goal of achieving 100 percent waste handling by 2029.
During his visit to the Kopi Luhur landfill in Cirebon on Friday, Minister Nurofiq shared that the government plans to manage 51.21 percent of the country’s waste by the end of this year, with full waste management expected by 2029.
“The President will lead the charge in managing waste across Indonesia. We are committed to accelerating all aspects of this effort,” Nurofiq stated.
This ambitious target for comprehensive waste management is outlined in Presidential Regulation Number 12 of 2025, which is part of the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).
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Nurofiq also urged regional governments to take swift action by enforcing administrative sanctions on 343 landfill sites (TPAs) still practicing open dumping. “If a landfill site catches fire, we will apply a criminal approach in handling the issue,” he emphasized.
The minister explained that waste management will focus on two key approaches: upstream and downstream. The upstream strategy will prioritize waste reduction, reuse, and recycling through the establishment of waste processing facilities (TPS-3R) and integrated waste processing centers (TPST). Meanwhile, the downstream approach will include technologies like waste-to-energy (WTE) and refuse-derived fuel (RDF), converting waste into usable energy.
One of the plans includes building waste power plants (PLTSa) in areas with high waste generation, a move that is currently under review as ministries and institutions work to harmonize the regulation for PTLSa construction.
Earlier in March 2025, Nurofiq stressed that the key to improving waste management lies in reducing waste at the community and commercial levels. He called for stricter policies targeting waste management in institutions like universities, markets, housing complexes, hotels, restaurants, and cafes.
His ministry is also advocating for stronger waste sorting systems to minimize the volume of waste sent to landfills. Additionally, efforts are underway to involve industries in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, which encourages companies to take responsibility for the recycling of materials like cardboard and plastic waste. This initiative aims to increase the amount of recycled material being absorbed by industries.
With these strategic efforts, the government is making significant strides toward sustainable waste management, benefiting both the environment and society at large. (BL)