September 1, 2026 | 10:44 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Residents living near the Putri Cempo Landfill in Surakarta, Central Java, are demanding guaranteed access to economically valuable waste. They believe that a citywide waste sorting policy, which reduces the volume of waste entering the site, has eroded the income of local scavengers.
Representatives of local residents and the Putri Cempo Scavengers Alliance voiced their demands during a protest at Surakarta City Hall on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. "Our core demands rest on three pillars: the economy, health, and the environment," Putri Cempo Scavengers Alliance Chairperson Karni told reporters following the demonstration.
According to alliance data, 371 individuals earn a living by sorting waste within the Putri Cempo Landfill grounds. The group comprises 278 recyclables collectors and 93 individuals who gather organic waste for livestock feed.
Karni stated that scavenger earnings have plummeted alongside the shrinking volume of marketable waste reaching the landfill. Whereas workers previously collected five to 10 sacks of waste daily, they now average only one to three.
He attributed this drop to upstream waste sorting, limits placed on garbage transport fleets, and regulations mandating waste processing prior to landfill disposal.
In addition to economic grievances, residents from neighboring units or RW 39 raised complaints regarding severe dust, foul odors, and noise pollution generated by landfill operations. Their grievances extend to the operation of the local waste-to-energy power plant (PLTSa), or known as the Waste Processing into Electrical Energy Project (PSEL).
The protesters urged municipal authorities to properly manage toxic ash residues from waste processing and demanded full transparency regarding environmental impact test results. "We understand if waste volumes decline. But those of us who have depended on this landfill for over 30 years should not be left without certainty," Karni urged on behalf of the community.
Karni added that residents are seeking clarity on healthcare guarantees and access to environmental compliance documents governing the facility's operations.
Surakarta Environmental Agency Head Herwin Tri Nugroho Adi affirmed that the municipal government respects the residents' aspirations. Herwin noted that officials have monitored ambient air quality and noise pollution surrounding the site. "Air quality and noise level measurements remain strictly within regulatory safety thresholds," he said.
Herwin explained that the decline in economically valuable waste is a direct outcome of government policies aimed at curbing landfill input and phasing out open dumping methods. To resolve ongoing capacity shortages, the facility is now designated primarily for non-recyclable residual and inorganic waste.
Nevertheless, Herwin acknowledged that this policy shift has impacted local scavengers. Therefore, the Environmental Agency has forwarded scavenger census data to the Manpower Agency to enroll affected workers in the Ready-to-Work Home initiative for alternative economic empowerment.
Addressing environmental concerns, the Surakarta municipal administration is preparing a leachate treatment facility scheduled for construction this year. The plant is designed to process liquid waste runoff before it is safely discharged into local waterways.
Regarding public health, Herwin stated that the Health Agency and neighborhood community health centers routinely administer medical services to residents surrounding the landfill. He assured that the administration will continue pursuing comprehensive solutions to ensure landfill management does not marginalize communities historically reliant on the site for their livelihoods.
Read: New Problems in Converting Waste to Energy
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Partial Waste-to-Energy Solution
18 hari lalu
Danantara is aggressively pushing a major project to convert waste into electricity, but it fails to address the main issue.
EU Waste Packaging Rules: Why Small Businesses Are Worried
19 hari lalu
The EU has introduced new rules targeting packaging waste and "forever chemicals."
New Problems in Converting Waste to Energy
22 hari lalu
The government is accelerating waste-to-energy projects using incineration technology. Pollution risks remain a concern.
Indonesia Promotes Pyrolysis Technology to Turn Waste Into Renewable Fuel
22 hari lalu
Indonesia promotes pyrolysis technology to convert landfill waste into renewable fuel, complementing waste-to-energy plants that cover only 22% of was
Jakarta Records World's Fourth-Worst Air Quality on Friday Morning
32 hari lalu
The air quality index (AQI) in the metropolitan city is at 147, placing it in the "unhealthy" category for sensitive groups.
Indonesia: Landfills Could Collapse by 2028 Without Waste Reform
49 hari lalu
Indonesia's landfills could face crisis by 2028 without integrated waste management, prompting the government to accelerate waste-to-energy projects.
Indonesia Says Bali Waste-to-Energy Project Marks Environmental Shift
49 hari lalu
Development of Indonesia's major waste-to-energy project (PSEL) in Bali marks a significant transformation in the country's environmental management.
Danantara Names 8 Partners for Rp25 Trillion Waste-to-Energy Projects
49 hari lalu
Indonesia's Danantara Waste to Energy Project sites are located in Medan, Bekasi, Lampung, Serang, Semarang, Surabaya, Bogor, and Yogyakarta.
Danantara Begins Waste-to-Energy Plant Construction in Bali
55 hari lalu
Danantara Investment Management (DIM) has commenced the construction of the Waste-to-Energy Plant (PSEL) project in Bali.
Jakarta Offers Prizes for Waste Sorting on Anniversary Peak Night
25 Juni 2026
The Jakarta provincial government urges waste sorting during the event and offers free tickets to Ancol, Dufan, and Atlantis for lucky participants.
