Indonesia waste reduction and community initiatives

In late July 2026, Indonesian city officials highlighted growing waste pressures. Bandung’s council warned that requiring both digital and hard‑copy documents conflicted with its smart‑city goals and the national zero‑waste plan, while Jakarta reported daily waste generation of about 9,059 tons, half of it organic, and launched a ‘Smart Food Consumption’ campaign alongside expanded waste‑sorting programs.

By early August, the focus shifted to concrete mitigation and community-led projects. Bandung moved toward waste‑to‑energy, finalizing the commissioning of the Tegalega Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPST). Bandung Secretary Iskandar Zulkarnain noted that the plant, which can handle up to 25 tonnes of waste per day, is being optimized to produce Refuse‑Derived Fuel (RDF) briquettes, stating, ‘If the final product is in briquette form, its economic value is certainly more promising.’

In Bekasi, digital and hygiene initiatives emerged. Universitas Bina Sarana Informatika provided digital-marketing and e-commerce training to Bank Sampah Vida Bekasi managers to improve product promotion. Additionally, the Pejuang Mushola group, with Unilever Indonesia, conducted health education on Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) at the Al-Hidayah prayer room near large waste sites.

In Bantul, Yogyakarta, the TPS 3R GO-SARI facility established a productive economic model by processing 3 to 3.5 tons of daily household waste into compost, livestock feed, and recycled materials. Supported by Pertamina Patra Niaga, the facility employs 27 residents, utilizes Black Soldier Fly maggot cultivation, and converts HDPE plastics into eco-friendly furniture.