Waste Sorting and RDF: Jakarta Provincial Government's Efforts to Manage Waste from Upstream to Downstream
The Jakarta Provincial Government believes that waste management cannot rely solely on collection and landfilling. Waste must be reduced and managed from its source, particularly within households. According to data from the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN) of the Ministry of Environment, households are the largest contributors to national waste. In terms of composition, Indonesian waste is still dominated by food waste at approximately 40 per cent and plastic at around 20 per cent.
Consequently, the Jakarta Provincial Government is encouraging residents to sort waste at home. This step is outlined in the Jakarta Governor’s Instruction Number 5 of 2026 regarding the Movement for Waste Sorting and Processing from the Source. Under this regulation, waste is divided into four categories: organic, inorganic, hazardous and toxic materials (B3), and residue. This sorting serves as the basis for ensuring each type of waste is handled according to its characteristics.
Organic waste can be processed through composting, maggot feed, or biodigesters. Inorganic waste is directed to waste banks as recyclable material. Meanwhile, B3 waste, such as insecticides, batteries, light bulbs, and electronic waste, is handled according to environmental safety procedures. Residue, or leftover waste that cannot be reprocessed, is directed to advanced processing facilities, such as Refuse-derived Fuel (RDF) and Waste-to-Energy plants (PLTSa).
“Organic waste can serve as fertiliser. As we have seen, there are two types: one in liquid form and one in compost, which can both become organic fertiliser,” said Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung at Kramat Jati Market on Monday (11/5/2026). Pramono emphasised that the waste sorting movement must be undertaken seriously and involve the wider community.
From Waste Banks to RDF Rorotan: One of the Jakarta Provincial Government’s efforts to reduce waste at the source is strengthening the role of waste banks. Through this method, residents are encouraged to collect economically valuable waste so it can be recycled rather than ending up in landfills. The collected waste is deposited into waste banks, providing residents with additional income. In several waste banks, the value of the deposited waste can be converted into savings, including gold savings.
At the downstream level, the Jakarta Provincial Government is developing the RDF Rorotan facility in North Jakarta. This facility is designed to process waste into alternative fuel that can be utilised by industries, such as cement factories or power plants. RDF Rorotan is projected to be capable of processing up to 2,500 tonnes of waste per day. The presence of this facility is expected to reduce Jakarta’s dependence on the Bantargebang landfill, which has long been the capital’s primary waste processing site.
Market Waste Management: In addition to encouraging waste sorting at home, the Jakarta Provincial Government is accelerating waste pile management at several locations, including the Kramat Jati Wholesale Market in East Jakarta. The Public Relations Manager of Perumda Pasar Jaya, Topik Hidayatulloh, stated that market waste management is being carried out through strengthened coordination with various parties. He noted that waste issues cannot be resolved by a single party alone.
For the long term, Perumda Pasar Jaya is encouraging the implementation of sustainable waste processing technology. Trials of thermal hydrolysis technology and the MASARO system (Zero Waste Management) are being prepared as solutions to process waste directly from the source.
Promoting a Circular Economy: Urban policy observer Zulfikar Marikar welcomed the Waste Sorting Movement implemented by the Jakarta Provincial Government. He believes the movement can reduce waste volume from the source, especially from households. Zulfikar noted that the Jakarta Provincial Government is beginning to implement an integrated waste management system from upstream to downstream. The movement is also considered strategic in reducing the volume of residue sent to Bantargebang.
“In addition to reducing transportation and urban waste management costs, this policy opens opportunities for the development of a circular economy through recycling and community-based waste processing,” explained Zulfikar. He added that the policy aligns with Jakarta’s goal of becoming a clean, healthy, and sustainable global city.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Jakarta Environmental Office, Dudi Gardesi, stated that sorting waste at the source is the key to Jakarta’s waste management. If residents become accustomed to sorting waste at home, the amount of residue requiring processing at final facilities can be reduced. “Through Jakarta Governor’s Instruction Number 5 of 2026, we want to invite the entire community to see that sorting waste is no longer just an option, but a shared necessity to save Jakarta from a waste emergency,” said Dudi.
The movement also received support from the Minister of Environment, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, who noted that the movement led by the Jakarta Provincial Government aligns with the waste management roadmap being prepared by the central government.