Waste Collection at Kramat Jati Main Market Continues, Piles Still Towering

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Jakarta Environmental Agency (DLH) continues to transport the six-metre-high pile of rubbish at the Kramat Jati Main Market in East Jakarta on Tuesday (31/3/2026). Based on Kompas.com’s observations at the site since Tuesday morning, four trucks were seen starting to haul the rubbish mound. The trucks were labelled with the Thousand Islands Sub-Directorate of Environmental Affairs. In addition, one heavy machine of the shovel type was deployed to load the rubbish into the arriving trucks. Although the collection is underway, the rubbish mountain still appears high. A pungent odour continues to be detected around the Temporary Waste Collection Point (TPS) at the Kramat Jati Main Market. Sugiat (55), one of the staff, said that the rubbish collection has been ongoing for the last four days. However, he assessed that the results have not yet shown significant changes. “The first collection involved a lot, around twenty trucks, then the second thirteen, and this morning only five so far; the reduction isn’t very noticeable yet,” said Sugiat when met at the Kramat Jati Main Market on Tuesday. He explained that most of the rubbish transport trucks come from outside the East Jakarta area, including the Thousand Islands and South Jakarta. “Back then (in January), there were many trucks hauling it, 50 trucks a day from morning to evening. That’s why it was cleared quickly,” he clarified. Sugiat added that when the pile-up occurred in January 2026, two heavy machines were deployed, namely a shovel and an excavator. However, currently, only one heavy machine in the form of a shovel is being used. Perumda Pasar Jaya recorded that the volume of rubbish in the area has reached 6,970 tonnes, equivalent to about 410 tronton trucks. “This condition (rubbish piling up) was triggered by technical issues in providing transport fleets since 9 March 2026,” said Topik in a written statement on Sunday (29/3/2026). Topik stated that his side has coordinated with the Jakarta Environmental Agency (DLH) to accelerate the rubbish collection. Perumda Pasar Jaya targets significant progress in the next two days. In addition, they are also preparing measures by procuring five rubbish truck units with a capacity of 16 cubic metres per unit.