Indonesia, the World’s Fifth-Largest Waste Producer
- Publish
- 2025/08/15
- Update
- 2025/08/15
- You can read this article in 3minutes
According to a World Bank report, in 2020, Indonesia generated approximately 65.2 million tons of waste, ranking as the fifth-largest waste-producing country in the world.
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Introduction
Indonesia, the fifth-largest waste producer globally, faces a variety of “waste problems.” This article presents the global ranking of waste-producing countries and explores Indonesia’s waste issues, their causes, and potential solutions.
Precautions when conducting an on-site inspection in Indonesia
Some visitors consider, "My primary purpose is to conduct maintenance work at the factory, but the visa application process appears cumbersome. I will simply enter on a Visa on Arrival (VOA) and carry out the work discreetly."
However, there have been numerous cases where entering without the appropriate visa for the intended activities has resulted in significant legal and operational issues. It is therefore strongly advised to obtain the correct visa prior to travel.
Here are the types of visas and their purposes.
Indonesia’s Waste Problem in Numbers
Indonesia’s Waste Generation: 65.2 Million Tons, Ranked Fifth Worldwide
Indonesia is grappling with a serious waste issue. According to the World Bank, in 2020, Indonesia generated approximately 65.2 million tons of waste, making it the fifth-largest waste-producing country globally.
As the world’s fourth most populous country, it is somewhat natural for Indonesia to produce large amounts of waste. In fact, when comparing waste generation per capita, countries like China, the United States, and Japan generate more waste per person.
However, given Indonesia’s ongoing population growth and rapid economic expansion, there is a strong possibility that its waste generation will continue to increase in the future.
The large amount of waste generated in Indonesia can be attributed not only to its population size but also to factors such as urbanization, rising incomes leading to excessive production and consumption habits, a lack of established waste separation practices, and insufficient waste management infrastructure.
Currently, Indonesia faces a shortage of landfill sites. In addition, the inability to properly dispose of waste has resulted in negative impacts on the environment, scenery, and residents’ quality of life, making it a pressing issue.
To address this, the Indonesian government launched the “Indonesia Bersih” (“Clean Indonesia”) program, aimed at solving the waste problem through waste reduction, proper disposal, and various other initiatives. The government is also actively investing in the development of waste management infrastructure.
For reference, below is the ranking of countries producing the most waste according to the same survey:
- China: 395.1 million tons
- United States: 265.2 million tons
- India: 189.8 million tons
- Brazil: 79.1 million tons
- Indonesia: 65.2 million tons
- Russia: 60.0 million tons
- Mexico: 53.1 million tons
- Germany: 50.6 million tons
- Japan: 42.7 million tons
- France: 36.7 million tons
Reference: Katadata Instagram @katadatacoid
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Taxi Troubles
IT company
We had planned to use a ride-hailing app for local transportation; however, due to the combination of the morning rush hour and heavy rain, no taxis were available even after waiting for over 30 minutes. In the end, we arranged a motorcycle taxi on short notice, but heavy traffic caused further delays. As a result, we were forced to postpone one of the two business meetings scheduled for the morning.
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Interpreter Issues
Cosmetics manufacturer
While traveling from central Jakarta to a client in the suburbs, our freelance local interpreter suddenly canceled. Since English was not widely understood in the area, we were unable to fully convey the finer nuances of our business discussions, which was highly regrettable. We came to realize that it would have been better to engage a professional interpreter through a reputable agency rather than relying on a low-cost freelancer.
Indonesia’s Waste Issues in Video
One of Southeast Asia’s Largest Landfills
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In Bekasi City, West Java Province, adjacent to Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, lies one of Southeast Asia’s largest final disposal sites for waste — the Bantar Gebang landfill.
The Bantar Gebang landfill faces the issue of reaching its maximum capacity. Moreover, problems such as foul odors and air, water, and soil pollution affecting nearby residents are of growing concern.
To address these issues, the Indonesian government and related stakeholders are working on improving waste management methods, developing and introducing modern waste processing systems, and relocating disposal sites. Going forward, a key focus will be on how to gain the cooperation of private companies and local communities to improve the situation.
Recycling Plastic into Paving Blocks
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As an archipelagic nation like Japan, Indonesia faces a serious problem with marine plastic waste. In fact, when breaking down Indonesia’s waste by type, plastic ranks second only to food waste.
This video shows a company recycling discarded plastic into brick-like blocks.
Recycling plastic into building materials can help reduce plastic waste, decrease the use of traditional building materials, and minimize environmental damage. These recycled plastic blocks are lightweight, durable for outdoor use, and resistant to warping, discoloration, and deterioration.
Reference: Katadata “RI Hasilkan 19 Juta Ton Timbulan Sampah pada 2022, Mayoritas Sisa Makanan”
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●Cosmetics manufacturer
After finishing drinks with colleagues late at night and being unable to find a taxi, they arranged a car for us, which was a great help.
A Multifaceted Approach Needed to Solve Indonesia’s Waste Problem
Indonesia’s waste problem is multifaceted: excessive waste generation, improper disposal practices, a shortage of landfill sites, and severe pollution of rivers, seas, and living environments caused by waste.
Therefore, the solutions must also be diverse. Examples include:
- Public awareness campaigns
- Education from an early age
- Infrastructure development
- Establishment and promotion of recycling systems
- Introduction of new waste processing technologies
- Improvement of working conditions for those at waste collection and disposal sites
Indonesia’s waste problem is highly complex, requiring persistent and steady efforts to overcome.
