Indonesia Explores Smokeless and Decentralised Waste Technologies to Address Bantargebang Landfill Crisis
Indonesia is exploring decentralised waste treatment systems, including smokeless incineration technology, as part of efforts to address the long‑standing waste management pressures at Bantargebang Landfill in Bekasi, West Java. State‑owned defence manufacturer PT Pindad is working with national ministries to pilot a range of technologies aimed at reducing landfill dependency and improving local waste processing capacity. Details of the initiative were discussed during a recent ministerial meeting, according to reporting by ANTARA.
The effort reflects a broader policy focus on technology‑enabled sustainability and resource management. Indonesia has increasingly highlighted the role of innovation and digital solutions in national development strategies, including initiatives that link smart technology and innovation for a sustainable future. Waste management has become a pressing concern in urban areas, particularly in Jakarta and surrounding regions that rely heavily on the Bantargebang facility.
Decentralised Waste Management Strategy
The proposed approach centres on decentralising waste treatment so that more waste can be processed closer to where it is generated. The plan was discussed in a limited meeting attended by Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, and PT Pindad President Director Sigit P Santosa.
According to Santosa, the initiative follows a presidential directive encouraging waste management solutions at smaller administrative levels, including villages. Pilot programmes are expected to begin in Jakarta and Bandung before potentially expanding to other regions.
“The President has given a directive to carry out waste decentralization. We will try to resolve (waste) at the village level. The initial pilot projects will be launched in Jakarta and Bandung, and once completed, the program will be rolled out to other regions,” — Sigit P Santosa, President Director, PT Pindad
Technology Options Under Consideration
PT Pindad has prepared several technological options to support the decentralised model. These include Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC), autothermix processing, and plasma‑based waste treatment systems. One of the technologies highlighted in early discussions is the Stungta Pindad, a mobile smokeless incinerator designed to operate at smaller scales.
The mobile system is intended to enable waste processing in distributed locations rather than relying solely on large landfill sites. Such approaches align with broader discussions within Indonesia about balancing technological development, governance, and national priorities, as explored in policy debates on innovation, ethics and sovereignty.
Addressing the Bantargebang Waste Challenge
Bantargebang Landfill has long served as the primary waste disposal site for Jakarta and nearby areas, making it central to Indonesia’s urban waste management system. However, the growing volume of waste has placed increasing strain on the facility and prompted calls for systemic reforms.
Minister Yuliarto emphasised that resolving the situation will require coordinated action across the entire waste management chain, from waste generation to final treatment.
“Solving the waste management issues at Bantargebang must be done from both the upstream and downstream sides. Upstream, we must stop the flow of incoming waste; downstream, we must accelerate the reduction of existing waste piles and focus on reforestation,” — Brian Yuliarto, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology
Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq similarly highlighted the importance of transitioning from traditional landfill models to more advanced processing systems that can operate locally.
“The problems at Bantargebang can be solved if decentralization is fully implemented. With various waste processing technology options available, we hope this can be executed down to the village level,” — Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, Minister of Environment
If successfully implemented, the decentralised approach could reduce pressure on major landfill sites while encouraging localised waste treatment and resource recovery. The pilot programmes planned for Jakarta and Bandung will provide an early indication of how these technologies may fit within Indonesia’s broader waste management reforms.
