Minister of Environment: Overhaul Bantargebang to Prevent Future Waste Collapses
Jakarta — The Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq has stated that immediate changes and remedial measures are necessary to prevent further waste collapses at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPST), which have resulted in loss of life.
In a statement issued in Jakarta on Monday, the Environment Minister and head of the Environmental Control Agency (BPLH) Hanif indicated that his office has already issued warnings to Jakarta’s Provincial Government, which manages the facility, regarding open dumping practices at Bantargebang TPST and has initiated environmental audits as part of mandatory administrative sanctions.
“We will closely oversee serious changes to waste management at Bantargebang specifically and Jakarta generally. Immediate reforms are essential because even if a new waste processing facility (PSEL) is constructed, it will still take another three years,” said Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq.
This statement was made following the minister’s inspection of search and evacuation operations for victims of the waste collapse on Sunday (8 March). By Sunday, four fatalities had been recovered.
Additionally, in January 2026 the subsidence of a loading ramp pulled three waste trucks into a river, followed by another collapse of the waste pile in March 2026.
The overhaul of waste management aligns with directions from President Prabowo Subianto that many waste disposal sites across Indonesia have an average lifespan of 17 years or are approaching the end of their operational life of 20 years.
The minister specifically highlighted that Bantargebang TPST is 37 years old and has exceeded its usage period. According to him, waste disposal should no longer occur at this location.
He stated that the government is prioritising the evacuation of all victims while launching a comprehensive investigation to take firm action against any management negligence that endangers public safety.
As a long-term solution, Bantargebang TPST will be converted exclusively for inorganic waste through strengthening source-based waste separation systems and optimising the Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) facility at Rorotan.