6-Metre Waste Piles Up at Kramat Jati Market, Residents Complain of Odour

JAKARTA - A pile of rubbish has once again mounted up at the Kramat Jati Main Market in East Jakarta on Sunday (29/3/2026). The stench from the rubbish of fruits and vegetables is pungent, disturbing the residents.

In addition, no transportation activities are visible yet. At the location, only a warning sign installed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry is seen.

Sugiat (55), a local resident, said the pungent smell from the pile of rubbish is once again disturbing daily activities.

“Yes, this (rubbish) is mostly affecting, it’s disturbing, obviously the smell. For those with lung disease, it’s directly making them short of breath,” said Sugiat when met at the Kramat Jati Main Market on Sunday.

“Yes (in January) it was clean for a while. You know the capacity, the rubbish every day there is at least if transported out, it should be at least 15 trucks. But what’s transported every day is only about six, sometimes seven,” he explained.

Similar complaints were also voiced by another resident, Agus (38). He said the rubbish smell can be detected from a distance.

“If it’s the smell, no need to ask, surely those going to the market and passing by here can smell the aroma from afar, especially when it rains,” said Agus.

Agus himself admitted to being worried that the piled-up rubbish could affect health because there is a lot of stagnant water.

Agus hopes that the piled-up rubbish will be transported soon so that traders, buyers, and even residents around the market can feel comfortable.