Seeing Jakarta’s Waste Problem Up Close—and What’s Being Done About It
On 17 January 2023, ECADIN launched its first-ever Talent Hub with an educational site visit to the Bantargebang Waste-to-Energy Plant, in collaboration with the Dinas Lingkungan Hidup DKI Jakarta. This program aimed to increase public awareness and understanding of the challenges and innovations in waste management and energy recovery.
Jakarta produces thousands of tons of waste every day, and most of it ends up at Bantargebang. With landfills filling up fast and pollution on the rise, waste has become one of the city’s most urgent problems. But not many people know how the system works—or what’s being done to improve it.
Through this visit, ECADIN gave participants the chance to:
- See how the waste is processed and turned into energy
- Understand the challenges in managing waste at city scale
- Learn what it takes to run a facility like this—from technology to teamwork
Waste management isn’t just about throwing trash away. It’s about how we live, how we consume, and what future we’re building. That’s why awareness matters—because real change starts when people understand the problem and see how they can be part of the solution.
What Happened During the Visit
Participants were taken on a guided tour of the Bantargebang site. They got to:
- Watch how trash from across Jakarta is sorted and handled
- Learn how the facility turns waste into energy using machines and special systems
- Talk with people who work there every day, including engineers and environmental staff
It wasn’t just about facts and data. The visit helped people connect what they see in their daily lives—overflowing bins, plastic waste, smoky air—with what happens behind the scenes in the city’s waste system.
Who Joined the Program
The visit was open to the public, and three participants were selected through a short application process. ECADIN covered all the costs—including transport, meals, and certificates—so that anyone interested could join, regardless of background.
What They Took Away
This wasn’t just a field trip—it was a learning journey. Participants left with:
- A clearer view of how urban waste is handled
- A better understanding of the link between waste, energy, and sustainability
- New ideas about how they can make a difference—through their careers, studies, or daily habits
By seeing the reality on the ground, they also got a sense of what kind of support and action is needed—from individuals, communities, business, and government.
This visit was just the beginning. It’s part of ECADIN’s Talent Hub series—a program designed to help future leaders grow their knowledge, skills, and networks in clean energy and sustainability.
We believe real change happens when people:
- See real challenges for themselves
- Learn directly from those in the field
- Connect with others who care about the same issues
