JAKARTA – Indonesia’s Minister of Environment, Jumhur Hidayat, has expressed strong optimism that the country will comprehensively solve its waste management problems by 2028.
The ambitious target will be pursued through a combination of advanced technology that converts waste into electricity and the empowerment of grassroots community initiatives.
“We hope that by 2028, we will be done with this waste issue,” Minister Jumhur stated during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He attributed the confidence to President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to making waste management a national priority program.
Waste-to-Energy Technology for Major Hubs
The government, through the Ministry of Environment, is currently overseeing waste management in 36 “agglomeration areas.”
These are regions that each produce over 1,000 tons of waste per day.
The focus in these hubs is the accelerated implementation of waste-to-energy electricity generation (WtE).
The ministry’s Directorate General of Waste, Waste, and Hazardous Materials Management has pledged to provide strict supervision to ensure rapid progress in these regions.
This work builds on initiatives started during the previous administration.
“We will continuously evaluate how fast it can be realized,” Minister Jumhur explained.
“We are pushing this because it is urgent and the volume is huge.”
Grassroots Innovation and Job Creation
Beyond large-scale projects, the Minister emphasized that the government is openly embracing community-driven innovations.
He specifically highlighted the Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) method. RDF has proven effective in transforming waste into economic value.
The process converts refuse into usable materials such as fuel, roof tiles, and paving blocks.
Minister Jumhur described this approach as a form of “self-help from below.”
He noted that it can also create thousands of jobs.
“We continue to encourage all community movements that aim to manage waste,” he said.
“The government will welcome them.”
The Minister called for integrated handling of waste across all ministries and institutions.
He underscored that the issue is no longer the sole responsibility of the environment ministry alone.
With waste designated as a national priority, the government aims to mobilize both technology and local participation to meet its 2028 target.
Source: ANTARA News
Feat Image: ANTARA News
