Jatiwaringin Landfill to Undergo Transformation into Controlled Landfill System
The Tangerang Regency Government in Banten Province is set to gradually transform the waste management system at the Jatiwaringin Final Disposal Site in Mauk into a controlled landfill, following recent firefighting efforts at the location.
Head of the Tangerang Regency Environmental and Sanitation Agency, Ujat Sudrajat, stated on Tuesday that this move represents the government’s commitment to improving waste management governance. “By 2027, this has become a concern for the Tangerang Regent and ourselves to continue this transformation, including the capping process to prevent microplastic pollution,” he said.
He explained that the improvement of the waste management system from an open dumping zone to a controlled landfill will be carried out in stages, beginning with an area of one to two hectares out of a total of 33 hectares. “Transitioning to a controlled landfill requires enormous energy and costs. The plan is to start paying in instalments on one to two hectares by the end of this year,” he noted.
However, Sudrajat said the local government is currently still focused on handling and controlling the fire at the Jatiwaringin landfill. The unstable and hollow characteristics of the waste piles pose a challenge for firefighters. “The main obstacle is the inner waste piles, which are prone to trapping people. When you step, the ground can collapse and cave in. That is very dangerous for officers if they are not accompanied by heavy equipment and direct water spray,” he explained.
Additionally, extreme hot weather conditions are affecting the effectiveness of firefighting efforts. Consequently, the joint task force has maximised aerial firefighting using water bombing, increasing operations to three helicopters, with plans to add a fourth unit this week. “Besides using conventional water and large alkon pumps from nearby rivers, the Manggala Agni team has also been deployed to inject a special liquid into the waste piles to neutralise methane gas,” he said.
Previously, the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency encouraged the Tangerang Regency government to rehabilitate the management of the Jatiwaringin landfill area once the joint firefighting operation is optimised. “We will certainly carry out rehabilitation. Efforts will be made to manage this waste better, not using the open dumping approach,” said the Ministry’s Deputy for Pollution and Environmental Damage Control, Rasio Ridho Sani.
He stated that the rehabilitation phase for the Jatiwaringin landfill management would commence immediately after the fire handling and control are successfully completed. “Going forward, the Tangerang Regency Government is encouraged to immediately switch from the open dumping system to a more modern, safe, and environmentally friendly waste management system,” he said.
According to him, the rehabilitation step is considered crucial to accelerate handling. Closing landfills that still use the open dumping system is seen as a way to reduce the risk of severe fires and environmental pollution that frequently affect disposal areas. “The important first step we must take is to close the open dumping landfill. This practice poses a risk of releasing methane gas, which is hazardous to the environment and triggers climate change, as well as the risk of explosions or fires,” he stated. He added that besides triggering fires, the open dumping system also carries a high risk of producing leachate when the rainy season arrives. “If the landfill is left open, rainwater will carry these pollutants and spread them into the surrounding environment,” he said.