Govt targets end of open dumping by July 2026

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government has set a July 2026 deadline for regional governments to end open dumping practices, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said on Friday.

"In 2026, we will end all open dumping activities. We are giving regional governments until July 2026 to close open dumping sites," he said.

He added that the government will take legal action to ensure all waste management operators comply with the policy.

Hanif stressed that closing open dumping sites is crucial, warning that the practice could trigger disasters, citing a recent landslide at the Bantargebang landfill that killed seven people.

He said the measure is also aimed at meeting waste management targets under the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

Currently, the national waste management rate stands at 26 percent, but could rise to 57.75 percent if open dumping practices are eliminated this year.

Data from the ministry shows that daily waste generation reaches 141,926 tons, of which 37,001 tons are managed.

Most managed waste is sent to landfills at 15,189 tons per day, while 9,450 tons are handled by the informal sector. The rest is processed through composting facilities, 3R sites, and waste banks.

Separately, Hanif said the government is strengthening efforts to eliminate illegal landfills, particularly in major cities.

He added that the government is developing waste-to-energy (PSEL) plants in 33 locations as part of efforts to address the waste crisis, alongside technologies such as refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and composting.