Bantargebang Waste Pickers Trapped in Poverty Cycle, Study Finds

Waste pickers at the Bantargebang landfill are trapped in a cycle of vulnerability that extends across generations, according to research by The SMERU Research Institute and Greenpeace Indonesia. The study highlights that their challenges are not merely technical issues of waste management but deeply rooted structural problems.

Economic instability is a major factor, with fluctuating prices for recycled materials leading to unpredictable incomes. Compounding this, limited formal employment opportunities in the Bantargebang area leave many without alternative livelihoods. The transient nature of many waste pickers, who migrate seasonally for work, complicates official data collection and their integration into social support systems.

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The vulnerability of these waste pickers is structural, not just a technical issue. Technical solutions like RDF and PLTSA are insufficient for empowering vulnerable groups.

Climate change adds another layer of risk. The rainy season increases the danger of landslides from the waste heaps, while wet recyclables fetch significantly lower prices, sometimes 30-40% less. Access to social protection programs like employment insurance is also hindered by unclear administrative procedures for small-scale waste management businesses.

Furthermore, administrative issues related to residency status prevent many waste pickers from obtaining necessary documents, limiting their access to social aid and public services, including education for their children. Health risks are also prevalent due to proximity to the landfill, with exposure to leachate and air pollution potentially causing various ailments, including respiratory problems in children due to methane gas exposure.

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If wet waste is sold to recyclers, there is a deduction of around 30 to 40 percent from its price.