Interior Minister Pushes Integrated Waste Management from Source to Disposal
Interior Minister (Mendagri) Muhammad Tito Karnavian has emphasised that waste management must be undertaken in an integrated manner from source to disposal in order to address this national challenge systematically and sustainably.
Tito recalled that Indonesia currently ranks among the world’s five largest waste-producing nations and holds the third position as a contributor of plastic waste to the ocean. He argued that this situation must serve as a moment for joint evaluation.
“I simply wish to add some data to ensure this event is not merely ceremonial but serves as a wake-up call for perhaps the hundredth time,” Tito stated in written remarks on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
He made these comments at the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) on Waste Management 2026, themed ‘Collaboration for a Clean, Healthy, Safe and Beautiful Indonesia (ASRI)’, held at Balai Kartini Building in Jakarta.
He stressed that waste management is not merely a cleanliness issue but directly impacts public health and possesses economic value if managed properly.
Tito outlined a waste management strategy divided into three approaches: upstream-based, downstream-based, and integrative. The upstream approach focuses on waste reduction at source, beginning from households through village level.
“This upstream approach is environmental and household-based. Each household takes action, each community neighbourhood takes action—at the level of neighbourhood units, community associations, and villages—implementing reduction measures from the outset and processing waste within their respective areas,” he explained.
He cited several regions including Banyuwangi, Klungkung, and Subang as successfully implementing community-based waste management through initial sorting, thereby reducing the volume of waste entering final processing facilities (TPA).
Additionally, Tito highlighted the economic potential of organic waste processing through Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae farming.
“This innovation is considered capable of reducing waste volume whilst generating value-added products such as livestock feed and fertiliser, consistent with circular economy principles,” he stated.
On the downstream side, he emphasised the importance of strengthening waste transport and processing systems, particularly in urban areas with high volumes. Technology utilisation was viewed as a potential solution provided it is supported by consistent management and oversight.
Through this Rakornas, the Interior Minister hopes waste management will no longer be reactive but become a structured and sustainable collaborative movement.
“Cities become clean because operational teams move quickly, so there is no waste in the morning,” he concluded.
The event was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Environment/Head of the Environmental Control Agency Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, Minister of Population and Family Development/Head of the National Population and Family Planning Agency Wihaji, Deputy Environment Minister Diaz Faisal Malik Hendropriyono, Deputy Minister of Villages and Disadvantaged Regional Development Ahmad Riza Patria, as well as numerous provincial governors, district heads, and city mayors.