Indonesia's Bantargebang Landfill Transition Reduces Methane Emissions

Indonesia will begin converting the Bantargebang landfill, the country's largest and one of the world’s highest methane‑emitting sites, from open dumping to a controlled, sanitary system on Aug. 1. The move is part of a national waste‑management plan that will close open‑dump operations at 343 of the nation’s 550 disposal sites and require separate collection of organic waste and recyclables.

Jakarta Environment Agency head Dudi Gardesi Asikin says the policy aims to improve public health, curb pollution and cut methane, which accounts for roughly a third of global warming. Waste pickers such as 35‑year‑old Nur Wencih, who have lived and worked on the landfill for decades, may see their livelihoods change as the site is sealed and fewer materials remain accessible. United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres has called for rapid methane reductions, highlighting the global climate relevance of Indonesia’s reforms.