Bantargebang Landslide: Jakarta Activates RDF Rorotan Facility
Jakarta’s provincial government has begun phased operation of the RDF Rorotan facility following a landslide at the Bantargebang Waste Processing Site (TPST).
According to the Head of Jakarta’s Environmental Affairs Office (DLH) Asep Kuswanto, the facility was immediately activated as an emergency measure to maintain waste processing operations following the Bantargebang collapse.
“Today the RDF Plant Rorotan begins operations with an initial capacity of approximately 300 tonnes per day and will be increased gradually to 750 tonnes per day this week, then to 1,000 tonnes per day,” Asep stated on Tuesday 10 March.
Currently, Jakarta’s waste disposal relies on Zones 1, 2, and 5 at Bantargebang TPST with a capacity of approximately 4,000 tonnes per day. Zone 4 is being cleaned up following the landslide and will resume operations once reorganisation is complete, with an additional capacity of approximately 1,500 tonnes per day.
Jakarta generates approximately 8,000 tonnes of waste daily. In addition to RDF Rorotan, waste processing is conducted at the RDF Plant Bantargebang with a capacity of approximately 800 tonnes per day and the Merah Putih waste-to-energy facility with approximately 100 tonnes per day.
Consequently, Jakarta’s temporary waste processing capacity is estimated at between 6,700 and 7,150 tonnes per day.
“With the measures being taken, we are targeting normal waste management operations at Bantargebang to resume within one week,” Asep said.
The Bantargebang landslide, which killed four workers, has prompted urgent calls for reform. Jakarta Regional Parliament Commission B member Francine Widjojo has urged the provincial government to implement groundbreaking solutions to waste management, whilst PKB faction chair M. Fuadi Luthfi has demanded a special inquiry panel and forensic audit of the Rp 1.28 trillion RDF Rorotan project, which he contends has failed to meet targets.
Governor Pramono Anung has claimed to be following the Ministry of Environment’s directive to cease open dumping operations at one area following the Bantargebang incident. Environmental watchdog Walhi has characterised the collapse as evidence of a serious crisis in waste management governance, with Jakarta producing approximately 8,300 tonnes of waste daily that must be managed sustainably. Some observers have praised the governor’s phased approach to operating RDF Rorotan as a prudent decision, though odour concerns from the facility remain a community concern.