Mountains of Rubbish at Kramat Jati Market Reach 6,970 Tonnes, Here's the Cause
JAKARTA - Mountains of rubbish about six metres high have piled up at the Kramat Jati Main Market in East Jakarta due to a shortage of transport fleet from Perumda Pasar Jaya.
Perumda Pasar Jaya states that the rubbish mountain at the Kramat Jati Main Market has reached 6,970 tonnes.
“Around 6,970 tonnes or equivalent to roughly 410 tronton trucks. This condition is triggered by technical constraints in providing transport fleet since 9 March 2026,” said the Public Relations Manager of Perumda Pasar Jaya, Topik Hidayatulloh, in a written statement on Sunday (29/3/2026).
“As many as 33 tronton trucks have been deployed, consisting of 20 vehicles from the previous day and 13 vehicles today,” Topik added.
On the other hand, Perumda Pasar Jaya has prepared a plan by processing the procurement of five independent rubbish truck units with a capacity of 16 cubic metres per unit.
“These vehicles are targeted to start operating by the end of April 2026 to strengthen internal transport capabilities. In addition, cooperation with third parties will also be optimised to accelerate rubbish distribution and transport,” he explained.
“Trial of thermal hydrolysis technology as well as the MASARO (Zero Waste Management) system is being prepared as an innovative solution to process rubbish directly from the source,” he revealed.
Previously reported, rubbish piles have once again mounted up at the Kramat Jati Main Market in East Jakarta on Sunday (29/3/2026). The rotten smell from fruit and vegetable waste is pungent, disturbing residents.
Based on Kompas.com observations on Sunday morning, the rubbish reaches a height of six metres. The piles even exceed street lighting and the height of passing trucks.
Moreover, no transport activity was visible. At the location, only a warning sign installed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry was apparent.
“Yes, there’s more of this (rubbish) impacting, it’s disturbing, obviously the smell. For those with lung disease, it immediately causes shortness of breath,” said Sugiat when met at the Kramat Jati Main Market on Sunday.
“Yes (in January) it was clean for a while. You know the capacity, the daily rubbish there is at least, if transported out, should be at least 15 vehicles. But what’s transported daily is at most six, sometimes seven,” he explained.