Bantar Gebang, Potret Gunung Sampah Tertinggi dan Terbesar di Indonesia

Summary

Bantar Gebang, the tallest and largest landfill in Indonesia, is a 117-hectare site in Bekasi, Java, that processes thousands of tons of waste daily from Jakarta and Bekasi. Operating since 1989, it's home to about 6,000 waste pickers who sift through the mountains of garbage for recyclables, earning up to 300,000 rupiah daily. Despite the unpleasant conditions, Bantar Gebang also hosts unique phenomena like 'warung' (small shops) on the dump, showcasing human adaptability and resilience. The landfill also has a role in waste management, converting waste into electricity and compost, reflecting the scale of waste production and the need for increased environmental awareness.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ Bantar Gebang is the highest and largest dump in Indonesia, located in Bekasi, West Java, and serves as a waste disposal site for the Jakarta and Bekasi areas.
• 📏 The total area of Bantar Gebang is 117 hectares, with only a portion designated for waste disposal, while other areas are used for green spaces, offices, and processing facilities.
• 🗓️ Operating since 1989, Bantar Gebang has accumulated decades of waste, with the current capacity filled to about 80%, equivalent to 39 million tons of garbage.
• 🏙️ The dump is so massive that it is likened to 200 soccer fields in size, with the height of the garbage pile reaching up to 40 meters, comparable to a 16-story building.
• 🚛 Approximately 200 garbage trucks enter Bantar Gebang daily, and the waste is systematically weighed, validated, and piled using heavy machinery like excavators and bulldozers.
• 👥 Around 6,000 waste pickers rely on Bantar Gebang for their livelihood, sorting through the waste to find recyclables to sell, earning between 100,000 to 300,000 rupiahs per day.
• 💸 The informal economy generated by waste pickers and scrap collectors at Bantar Gebang is significant, with an estimated turnover of 149 billion rupiahs per year from selling sorted waste.
• 🏪 Uniquely, small shops or 'warungs' exist on top of the waste, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit and adaptability of people in harsh conditions.
• 🌿 Bantar Gebang's Integrated Waste Management Facility (TPSP) processes the waste through methods like gas capture, power generation, and composting to turn waste into valuable resources.
• 🌱 Despite the massive volume of waste, Bantar Gebang is not just a dumping ground but a site where efforts are made to manage and transform waste into beneficial products.
• 🌐 The situation at Bantar Gebang reflects the challenges of waste management in densely populated areas, highlighting the need for better waste reduction and recycling practices.

Q & A

What is Bantar Gebang known for in Indonesia?

Bantar Gebang is known for being the tallest and largest garbage dump in Indonesia.

Where is Bantar Gebang located?

Bantar Gebang is located in Bekasi, a city in the province of West Java, Indonesia.

What is the total area of Bantar Gebang's waste disposal site?

The total area of Bantar Gebang's waste disposal site is 117 hectares.

How long has Bantar Gebang been in operation?

Bantar Gebang has been in operation since 1989.

What is the current capacity utilization of Bantar Gebang?

Bantar Gebang is currently filled with 39 million tons of waste, which is about 80% of its capacity.

How much waste does Bantar Gebang receive daily?

Bantar Gebang receives around thousands of tons of waste per day from the Jakarta and Bekasi areas.

What is the estimated height of the garbage pile at Bantar Gebang?

The estimated height of the garbage pile at Bantar Gebang can reach up to 40 meters, equivalent to the height of a 16-story building.

How many scavengers work at Bantar Gebang, and what do they do?

There are around 6,000 scavengers at Bantar Gebang who sort and sell recyclable waste to sustain their livelihoods.

What is the economic impact of the waste trade at Bantar Gebang?

The waste trade at Bantar Gebang generates an estimated turnover of 149 billion Indonesian Rupiah per year.

What unique phenomenon is observed at Bantar Gebang regarding small shops?

A unique phenomenon at Bantar Gebang is the presence of small shops, or 'warungs', operating on top of the garbage dump.

What efforts are being made to process the waste at Bantar Gebang?

Efforts at Bantar Gebang include processes like gas flaring, power generation through a powerhouse, and the creation of compost from separated organic waste.