DKI Restricts Waste Shipments Following TPST Bantargebang Landslide, Beware of Accumulation
The DKI Jakarta provincial government has moved swiftly to stabilise the area at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPST) in Bekasi City, West Java, following a fatal incident on Sunday, 8 March. This action has been taken to prevent potential subsequent landslides.
Asep Kuswanto, Head of the Jakarta Environmental Services Department (DLH), stated that the arrangement and reinforcement of the landfill zone at TPST Bantargebang is being carried out in stages. The primary focus is currently ensuring that the landfill structure returns to stability to guarantee safety for field staff.
Asep emphasised that operational safety is the highest priority. He has instructed all Environmental Services Sub-departments across Jakarta to suspend waste shipments to Bantargebang until the victim evacuation process is completely finished.
This suspension measure has been taken to minimise the queue of trucks at the incident location, which could obstruct the evacuation process and management of the affected area.
The DKI provincial government has activated emergency response operations to ensure the safety of field personnel and stabilise the affected area so that Jakarta’s waste management services can quickly recover.
The waste landfill landslide disaster reportedly claimed four lives, comprising a food stall owner, a waste picker, and a truck driver from the Jakarta Pusat Sub-district Environmental Services Department. Meanwhile, one truck driver from the Jakarta Selatan Sub-district Environmental Services Department named Slamet was successfully evacuated with minor injuries and received medical treatment.
Despite ongoing management efforts, the DKI provincial government is working to ensure that waste management services continue to operate under a limited scheme. One temporary disposal point has been opened during the evening hours to maintain the smooth operation of waste truck routes from Jakarta, whilst two other points are still in the preparation stage.
“Our focus is on safety, victim management and ensuring that Jakarta’s waste management operations can recover swiftly and safely,” Asep concluded.