Remember when Indonesia sent Australian exported rubbish back and said that it was too contaminated to recycle?
A newly constructed refuse-derived fuel (RDF) plant in Rorotan, West Jakarta, designed to tackle the city’s mounting waste crisis, has already drawn scrutiny after thick, foul-smelling smoke billowed from the facility during a recent test run. The incident, attributed to a technical glitch, has raised questions about the plant’s readiness and its potential environmental impact, even as officials and developers herald it as a critical step towards sustainable waste management in Indonesia’s capital.
Set to be fully operational by mid-March, the Rorotan RDF plant is a cornerstone of Jakarta’s efforts to manage the staggering 8,000 tonnes of waste generated daily by the city. Built on a 7.8-hectare site at a cost of Rp 1.2 trillion (approximately £57 million), the facility aims to process around a third of this waste, converting 35 to 40 percent of it into alternative fuel pellets for use in cement and coal-fired power plants. Yet, environmental groups warn that this innovation could come at a steep cost to air quality and public health if not managed with rigorous oversight. 
A Test Run Gone Awry
Last week, during equipment trials, residents and workers near the Rorotan plant reported an overpowering stench emanating from the site. “The air smelled so bad a few days ago. Now it’s normal again,” a local worker, who requested anonymity, told a Jakarta-based outlet. He expressed hope that such issues would not recur, highlighting the immediate impact on the surrounding community.
PT Wijaya Karya (WIKA), the state-owned construction firm behind the project, issued a swift apology. Project manager Angga Bagus attributed the odour to a technical error, noting that the plant’s odour-control system was not functioning optimally during the test. “We will take preventive action to ensure it won’t happen again,” Angga said in a statement on 14 February. He assured the public that once fully set up, the facility’s technologies would mitigate any negative effects on nearby residents.
The incident, though resolved for now, has amplified concerns about the plant’s preparedness for full-scale operations. With Jakarta’s waste crisis reaching critical levels—most of the city’s rubbish currently ends up in the sprawling Bantar Gebang landfill in neighbouring Bekasi—there is immense pressure on such facilities to deliver results without compromising community wellbeing.
A Step Towards Waste Solutions
The Rorotan plant is not Jakarta’s first foray into RDF technology. In 2023, the city opened a similar facility at Bantar Gebang, capable of processing around 2,000 tonnes of waste daily. The new plant, however, promises a significant leap forward, with the capacity to produce approximately 875 tonnes of alternative fuel daily at full operation. The process involves separating, shredding, and compressing waste into small pellets, which are then sold as fuel to industries.
Yogi Ikhwan of the Jakarta Environment Agency confirmed that cement companies, including PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa and PT Solusi Bangun Indonesia, have signed on as off-takers for the RDF product. This arrangement could generate substantial revenue—potentially billions of rupiah—while reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills. For a city grappling with overfilled dumpsites and limited space for new ones, this model offers a glimmer of hope.
Yet, the stakes are high. Jakarta’s waste management challenges are not merely logistical but also deeply tied to public health and environmental sustainability. The Bantar Gebang landfill, often described as a “mountain of trash,” has long been a source of pollution and health hazards for nearby communities. If successful, the Rorotan plant could mark a turning point, diverting significant waste volumes and providing an alternative to the unsustainable status quo.
Environmental Risks in Focus
Despite the optimism, environmental groups have sounded the alarm over potential downsides. The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), a prominent advocacy organisation, has cautioned that burning RDF pellets, particularly those containing mixed plastic waste, could release highly toxic substances such as dioxins and furan gases. These pollutants are known to pose severe risks to human health, including respiratory issues and long-term carcinogenic effects.
Muhammad Aminullah, from Walhi’s Jakarta branch, previously told local media, “Air pollution. That’s what will always be a concern.” His warning underscores a broader debate about the trade-offs of waste-to-energy solutions. While they may reduce landfill dependency, they risk introducing new forms of environmental harm if emissions are not strictly controlled.
The concerns are not merely speculative. Globally, waste-to-energy plants have faced criticism for inadequate emission controls, particularly in regions where regulatory enforcement is inconsistent. In Indonesia, where air quality in urban centres like Jakarta is already a pressing issue—often exacerbated by industrial activity and traffic congestion—any additional pollution source could compound existing challenges.
If the Rorotan plant fails to implement robust safeguards, as promised by WIKA, it may face public backlash and regulatory scrutiny. The test run incident, though minor in isolation, serves as a reminder of the fine line between innovation and risk. For now, there is no confirmed evidence of long-term environmental damage from the facility, but the possibility remains a focal point for activists and residents alike.
Balancing Innovation and Responsibility
The Rorotan RDF plant represents a microcosm of the broader tensions surrounding sustainable development in rapidly urbanising regions. On one hand, Jakarta’s waste crisis demands urgent, scalable solutions; on the other, the pursuit of such solutions must not come at the expense of environmental integrity or public health. The city administration, alongside WIKA, faces the daunting task of proving that RDF technology can be both effective and safe in the long term.
Beyond immediate technical fixes, experts suggest that broader systemic changes are needed to complement facilities like Rorotan. Public education on waste segregation, increased investment in recycling infrastructure, and stricter regulations on industrial emissions could all play a role in alleviating pressure on waste management systems. Without these, even the most advanced plants may struggle to address the root causes of the crisis.
Moreover, community engagement will be crucial. The concerns of those living and working near the Rorotan plant must be addressed transparently, with clear communication about safety measures and contingency plans. The anonymous worker’s comments reflect a broader sentiment of cautious hope—hope that the facility will deliver on its promises, tempered by wariness of further disruptions.
A Critical Juncture for Jakarta
As the Rorotan RDF plant nears full operation, it stands at a critical juncture. Success could pave the way for similar initiatives across Indonesia, offering a blueprint for managing urban waste in densely populated regions. Failure, however, could undermine public trust in waste-to-energy solutions and intensify calls for alternative approaches.
For now, the Jakarta administration and WIKA have a narrow window to demonstrate their commitment to both innovation and responsibility. The coming weeks will be telling, as the plant undergoes further testing and prepares to handle thousands of tonnes of waste daily. Environmental groups like Walhi, meanwhile, are likely to maintain close scrutiny, ensuring that promises of “optimal odour-control” and minimal impact are not mere rhetoric.
In a city where rubbish piles are as emblematic as skyscrapers, the stakes could not be higher. The Rorotan plant is more than a facility; it is a test of whether Jakarta can reconcile its growth with sustainability. If it succeeds, it may offer a model for other megacities in South East Asia facing similar challenges. If it falters, the consequences—both environmental and social—could reverberate far beyond West Jakarta.
