Indonesia Launches National Waste Cleanup Movement to Accelerate Modern Waste Management
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment has launched a National Waste Cleanup Movement aimed at strengthening collaboration among stakeholders and accelerating the country’s transition toward modern, sustainable waste management practices.
The large-scale initiative brought together thousands of participants from government institutions, schools, community organizations, and the general public across multiple regions, including Sumedang, Lebak, Bulukumba, Tangerang, Cimahi, Sorong, Cilegon, and Cianjur.
“Waste management cannot be done alone. Cooperation between central and regional governments, alongside community participation, is essential,” said Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, emphasizing the importance of collective action. He noted that effective collaboration is crucial to maintaining environmental cleanliness and restoring the natural ecosystem.
The movement reflects Indonesia’s growing commitment to transforming its waste management system into a modern, efficient, and circular model, driven by inter-sectoral synergy and public participation.
Local activities under the movement achieved remarkable outcomes. In Sumedang, eight cubic meters of waste were collected at Sandang Market, while Lebak’s “Clean Friday” initiative mobilized 200 participants to gather two tons of market waste. In Bulukumba, over 1,000 volunteers cleaned 98 percent of Merpati Beach during the 15th Pinisi Festival, collecting nearly four tons of processed waste.
In Cimahi, 17 tons of mixed waste were converted into RDF Fluff and Biomass at the Sentiong Waste Facility. Sorong saw 150 volunteers collect 572 kilograms of waste, part of which was sent to the Sorong Raya Waste Bank. Cilegon recovered 19 tons of recyclable materials valued at more than IDR 33 million, and Cianjur collected 250 kilograms of plastic waste across four sites.
Minister Hanif highlighted that the cleanup builds upon last year’s national policy, “End Open Dumping: Build a Civilization in Harmony with Nature and Culture,” which successfully closed or revitalized 246 of 343 open-dumping sites, reducing waste volume by 21.85 percent — equivalent to 12.37 million tons annually.
He also announced the launch of a Waste-to-Energy Power Plant project in the Tangerang Raya area, beginning at the Jatiwaringin Waste Disposal Site. The initiative is designed to serve as a model for Indonesia’s cleaner and more energy-efficient waste management future.
