Cimahi Strengthens Commitment to Circular Waste Management through RDF Collaboration with SIPA Indonesia

Jakarta/Zoom Meeting (Hybrid), November 11, 2025 — The City of Cimahi is taking a bold step toward a more sustainable and circular waste management future. In a recent dialogue with the Sustainable Infrastructure Programme in Asia (SIPA) Indonesia team, representatives from the Cimahi Environmental Agency (Dinas Lingkungan Hidup—DLH Cimahi) and Bappenas discussed opportunities to advance the city’s waste-to-energy ambitions through the adoption of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) technology.

The meeting, held as part of SIPA’s ongoing study on RDF’s viability across Indonesia, showcased Cimahi’s growing commitment to turn waste challenges into sustainable energy solutions. The expert team from PT Cagar Bentara Sakti (CBS) presented findings from comparative studies in five locations—with a particular focus on Cimahi—highlighting both the technological readiness and institutional frameworks needed for RDF implementation.

Based on the study’s findings, Cimahi demonstrates a moderate level of readiness for RDF implementation. The city already has basic waste segregation infrastructure and an established landfill management system, but further investments are needed to enhance waste sorting quality and ensure a consistent feedstock supply for RDF production. Institutional coordination between DLH, local industries, and regional waste facilities is already in motion, laying a strong foundation for pilot-scale initiatives. With the right policy support and technical assistance, Cimahi could become one of the pioneering municipalities in West Java to operationalize RDF as part of its circular economy pathway.

During the session, UNDP Indonesia, through SIPA Indonesia, underscored the importance of linking local innovation with national policy direction. “The recent Presidential Regulation on Waste-to-Energy opens new pathways for cities like Cimahi to explore RDF not only as a waste solution but also as part of Indonesia’s industrial decarbonization effort,” said Mr. Aang Darmawan. “SIPA’s role is to help local governments bridge policy, technology, and business models so these ideas can move from planning to practice.”

Bappenas, through the Directorate of Housing and Infrastructure Area, represented by Mr. Fawwaz, echoed the importance of integrated planning between cities and national strategies. “What’s encouraging is Cimahi’s readiness to act. For us, the key is ensuring that every local innovation—like RDF—connects with Indonesia’s broader circular economy and low-carbon development agenda,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Ms. Rini, Head of the Cimahi Environmental Agency, emphasized the city’s commitment to advancing local solutions for waste management. “Cimahi produces a considerable amount of daily waste, and we recognize the urgency to move beyond traditional disposal methods,” she shared. “Through this collaboration with Bappenas and UNDP–SIPA, we hope to identify practical, scalable approaches that turn waste into value and create co-benefits for our community.”

The discussion also touched on challenges—particularly the economic viability gap between RDF production and offtake prices. Lessons from other cities such as Banyumas and Cilacap showed that these challenges can be mitigated through mechanisms like grants and local government-supported tipping fees.

Cimahi’s proactive stance, combined with technical insights from SIPA’s ongoing study, has laid a strong foundation for the next steps: conducting localized feasibility assessments, strengthening institutional capacity, and exploring partnerships with industries ready to integrate RDF into their operations.

As the meeting concluded, all parties shared a sense of optimism. The collaboration reflects a growing belief that when local governments, national agencies, and development partners work hand in hand, Indonesia’s circular economy transformation can accelerate—one city at a time.

“Turning waste into energy is not just a technical project; it’s about changing how we see value in what we throw away,” added Mr. Aang Darmawan. “Cimahi is showing that local leadership can drive national change.”