Ministry of Public Works Continues to Play an Active Role in Waste Reduction and Processing

Jakarta - Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo emphasized the government's commitment in accelerating the transformation of waste management into clean and sustainable energy. This is because the big challenge facing Indonesia today is the volume of waste that continues to increase every day.

The Ministry of Public Works plays an active role in waste reduction and processing through both regular and special programs. Regular programs include infrastructure development in the form of Regional Final Processing Sites (TPA) and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Waste Processing Sites (TPS-3R) and Labor Intensive programs in the form of Community-Based Sanitation (Sanimas). While special programs include the use of plastic for asphalt mixture, the development of Waste Power Plant (PLTSa), and Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) waste management system.

One of the Ministry's programs is the Kertamukti TPST, which was built as part of the Improvement of Solid Waste Management to Support Metropolitan and Regional Cities Project (ISWMP) funded by the World Bank. The TPST is designed to process up to 50 tons of domestic waste per day into valuable products such as RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel), biomass, and recycled materials.

Deputy Minister of Public Works Diana Kusumastuti visited the Kertamukti Integrated Waste Management Site (TPST), located in Bekasi Regency, West Java, on Saturday (21/6/2025). Deputy Minister Diana conveyed the importance of maintaining the sustainability and quality of waste management at the Kertamukti TPST which has been operating well. "This facility is part of our joint efforts to realize a modern and sustainable waste system. Please maintain its operation so that it remains efficient, and the benefits are truly felt by the community," said Deputy Minister Diana.

Diana hoped that the Kertamukti TPST could become a good model for waste management throughout Indonesia. "The Ministry of Public Works is committed to supporting environmentally friendly, efficient and sustainable waste management. The Ministry of Public Works also continues to encourage collaboration with local governments in overcoming waste challenges in urban areas," said Deputy Minister Diana.

Head of Region I of the West Java Regional Settlement Infrastructure Center (BPPW), Bismanara Wibisana, explained that the TPST operational and maintenance assistance activities aim to ensure that the TPST infrastructure that has been built can operate optimally in accordance with its planning capacity. Indicators include the smoothness of the waste processing process, the fulfillment of capacity targets, and the sustainability of waste processing services.

"During the operational assistance period which lasts until 18 June 2025, TPST Kertamukti has processed a total of 6,516.27 tons of waste with an average of 49.36 tons per day and the residue produced is only 11.18%. This facility has shown good efficiency with operational costs of around Rp262,599 per ton," Wibi explained.

Waste is processed through a series of technological stages, starting from initial separation with bag opener and discreener, automatic and manual sorting, to crushing with pre-shredder and fine shredder. The process continues with natural drying and the production of RDF and other materials ready for industrial use.

TPST Kertamukti's processed products have also been used by various parties, such as PT Indocement, PT Mitra Karunia Intranusa, PT Maggot Indonesia Lestari, and PT Singapore Freshgreen Makmur, as alternative fuel, organic fertilizer, and other recycled components.

“TPST Kertamukti also serves 6 villages and sub-districts in Bekasi Regency, namely Sarimukti Village, Wanajaya Village, Sukajaya, Kertamukti, Muktiwari, and Sarimukti, with a total population coverage of around 222,654 people or 44,531 households, and an estimated daily waste generation of 104.65 tons,” Wibi added.

The facilities and infrastructure available at TPST Kertamukti include processing hangars, operational roads, area drainage, clean water facilities, pump houses, weigh bridges, leachate treatment plants, and mechanical and electrical equipment.