Turning Waste into Value: Jakarta’s Journey Toward a Circular Future
Jakarta, November 6, 2025 — The morning sun had just begun to rise above the horizon when a team from the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) and UNDP Indonesia embarked on a journey eastward to the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Management Site. The trip, organized under the Sustainable Infrastructure Programme in Asia (SIPA), was not just another official visit — it was a closer look into how Jakarta is redefining waste as a resource, not a burden.
This site visit marked another important step in SIPA’s ongoing mission: to explore how sustainable waste technologies — particularly Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) and Waste-to-Energy (WtE) — can help Indonesia reform its waste management system from upstream to downstream. The activity directly supports the government’s national targets outlined in the RPJPN 2025–2045 and RPJMN 2025–2029, which call for integrated, low-carbon, and circular approaches to managing urban waste.
From Mountains of Waste to Alternative Energy
Arriving at Bantargebang, the team was greeted by the Jakarta Environmental Agency (Dinas Lingkungan Hidup-DKI Jakarta) — the agency responsible for one of the most ambitious waste management programs in the country. Bantargebang, once known only as a landfill stretching across 110 hectares, has transformed into a living laboratory for waste innovation.
At the heart of this transformation lies the RDF Plant Bantargebang, developed under the structure of EPCC Contractor: KSO Adhi Karya – Jaya Konstruksi and Technology Provider: Daehan E&C Co. Ltd. Inside the facility, the once chaotic streams of mixed waste are sorted, shredded, and dried through a carefully engineered process. The result: Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) — a fuel-grade material that can replace coal in industrial applications, especially cement kilns.
Today, the plant processes 500 to 600 tons of waste per day, producing RDF with a calorific value of around 3,200–3,400 kcal/kg. Each ton of RDF produced means less waste going to landfills and fewer emissions from fossil fuels.
The visit also included the PLTSa Merah Putih, Jakarta’s pilot Waste-to-Energy facility, and a tour of the landfill mining area, where layers of old waste are excavated to recover recyclable materials and rehabilitate the land. Together, these initiatives paint a vivid picture of Jakarta’s commitment to a future where waste has economic and environmental value.
“It’s not just about technology,” one of the engineers explained. “It’s about changing the way we see waste — from a problem to a potential.”
The Next Chapter: RDF Rorotan
After midday prayers, the convoy moved north toward Rorotan, where Jakarta is preparing to launch its next-generation RDF facility. Still in its pre-operational phase, RDF Rorotan is designed to process 2,500 tons of waste daily, significantly larger than previously estimated. The facility’s development involves the EPCC Contractor: KSO Wijaya Karya – Jaya Konstruksi and Technology Provider: PT Asiana Technologies Lestari and UNTHA.
DLH DKI Jakarta shared plans for a system that integrates advanced pre-treatment technologies such as automated sorting, drying, shredding, and dewatering. The facility will also feature odor and emission control systems, ensuring cleaner operations and higher-quality RDF output.
While Bantargebang focuses on the eastern and southern zones of Jakarta, the Rorotan facility is designed to serve the northern and eastern catchment areas, complementing the city’s broader waste diversion strategy. Once operational, Rorotan will not only reduce landfill dependency but also contribute to Jakarta’s emission reduction and green industry targets.
During the discussion, Bappenas and UNDP-SIPA exchanged views with DLH on the future of RDF commercialization, potential public–private partnership models, and how these projects can be replicated in other regions. The conversation underscored one key message: Jakarta’s experience offers valuable lessons for Indonesia’s broader waste management reform.
Lessons from the Ground
Throughout the day, one theme became clear — technology alone is not enough. Sustainable waste management requires strong institutions, consistent feedstock, skilled operators, and most importantly, community participation in waste segregation.
The team noted that while RDF and WtE technologies offer great promise, challenges remain. The variability of waste composition affects production quality. Dependence on imported components increases maintenance costs. Yet, local innovation is on the rise — and with it, the potential for Indonesia to develop homegrown solutions for sustainable waste treatment.
“Jakarta is proving that circular waste management is possible,” said one of the Bappenas’s representatives. “But success depends on collaboration — between government, industry, and the people.”
A Glimpse of Indonesia’s Circular Future
As the day ended and the group returned from Rorotan, the experience offered more than just data — it offered perspective. Jakarta’s evolving waste management landscape shows what can be achieved when technology meets commitment, and when cities choose to see waste as part of the solution, not the problem.
Through the SIPA Programme, UNDP Indonesia continues to support Bappenas in translating these experiences into policies and investment frameworks that accelerate Indonesia’s transition to a low-carbon, circular economy. The findings from this visit will enrich SIPA’s recent Comparative Study on Waste-to-Energy and Non-WtE Technologies, guiding national strategies for sustainable waste infrastructure.
Jakarta’s journey is still unfolding, but one thing is certain: the city is no longer just managing waste — it’s reshaping the future of how Indonesia powers its cities, industries, and communities.
