Indonesia’s Waste Management Challenges and Sustainable Development Goals

Current Waste Management Status

As of June 2025, Indonesia faces significant challenges in waste management, with only around 10 percent of waste being properly managed across various regions. The government warns that landfills nationwide are projected to reach maximum capacity by 2030 unless urgent and radical measures are implemented.

Deputy Environment Minister Diaz Hendropriyono highlighted that Indonesia generates approximately 34 million tonnes of waste annually, much of which pollutes the environment. The presence of microplastics has been detected in rivers, water sources, placentas, and breast milk, indicating severe environmental and health impacts.

Environmental Impact and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Most landfills in Indonesia still operate using an open dumping system.
• This practice significantly contributes to methane emissions, a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 34 times greater than carbon dioxide over 100 years.
• Methane emissions from open dumping exacerbate climate change, undermining efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action.

Government Targets and Policy Developments

1. In 2017, a presidential regulation set a target for 100% waste management by the end of 2025, aiming to:
   • Properly manage 70% of waste through sorting, collection, and conversion into raw materials or energy.
   • Reduce 30% of waste through recycling initiatives.
2. Data from the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN) indicated that in 2023, only 60.2% of waste was properly managed.
3. A policy recalibration in late 2024 adjusted the effective waste management rate to 39%, excluding unmanaged landfills to discourage open dumping.
4. Recent inspections of 343 landfills revealed actual waste management rates of only 9 to 10%.
5. President Prabowo Subianto extended the target for 100% waste management to 2029 through a new presidential regulation.

Waste Composition and Recycling Rates

• Indonesia produces 56.6 million tonnes of waste annually, deposited in 550 landfills.
• Plastic waste accounts for approximately 10.8 million tonnes, nearly 20% of the total waste.
• The national recycling rate stands at 22%, with regional variations:
  • Java Island: 31%
  • Bali-Nusa Tenggara: 22.5%
  • Sumatra: 12%

Challenges in Waste Management Systems

The current waste management system largely follows a linear model of collection, transportation, and dumping, which is unsustainable and threatens to overwhelm landfill capacities by 2030. This situation poses risks to achieving several SDGs, including:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – due to pollution and health hazards from waste.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – compromised by contamination from waste.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – affected by inadequate waste infrastructure.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – requiring improved waste reduction and recycling.

Public Practices and Health Implications

• Due to insufficient public waste disposal and management facilities, many households resort to open burning of waste.
• A 2024 World Risk Poll report revealed that 48% of Indonesian households burn their waste despite legal prohibitions.
• Open burning releases black carbon and “forever chemicals,” contributing to global warming and posing serious health risks.

Call for Collaborative Action

Deputy Environment Minister Diaz Hendropriyono emphasized that it is not too late to address these challenges if the government, business sector, and public collaborate to enhance the waste management system. Such cooperation is vital for Indonesia to meet its Sustainable Development Goals and secure a healthier environment for future generations.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Focus on improving waste management systems in urban and rural areas.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Targets waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable waste management practices.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Addresses methane emissions from landfills and black carbon from open burning contributing to global warming.
4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Concerns about health impacts from microplastics and harmful chemicals released by improper waste management.
5. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Issues related to pollution of rivers and water sources by microplastics and waste.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 11 – Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
2. SDG 12 – Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse by 2030.
3. SDG 13 – Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning, including reducing methane emissions from landfills.
4. SDG 3 – Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
5. SDG 6 – Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Waste Management Rate: Percentage of waste properly managed through sorting, collection, recycling, and conversion into raw materials or energy.
   • Example: Indonesia’s current rate around 10%, target 100% by 2029.
2. Recycling Rate: Percentage of waste recycled nationally and regionally.
   • Example: National recycling rate at 22%, Java Island at 31%.
3. Methane Emissions from Landfills: Measurement of methane gas emissions contributing to climate change.
4. Incidence of Open Burning of Waste: Percentage of households burning waste openly, linked to health and environmental risks.
   • Example: 48% of households reportedly burn waste despite prohibition.
5. Pollution Levels in Water Sources: Presence of microplastics and contaminants in rivers and water bodies.
6. Health Impact Indicators: Detection of microplastics in human tissues (placentas, breast milk) indicating exposure to pollution.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: asianews.network