West Java Considers Reactivating Old Landfill Zones Amid Sarimukti Crisis, Needs $24 Million

West Java authorities are contemplating the reactivation of zones 3 and 4 at the Sarimukti landfill in West Bandung Regency, as the current expansion zone, zone 5, faces critical capacity issues. This critical situation is projected to leave the landfill unable to accept waste from the Bandung Raya region after October.

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Yes, we are considering reactivating zones 3 and 4; that is the most rational option if zone 5 is full.

Arief Perdana, head of the Regional Landfill Management Unit at the West Java Environmental Agency, stated that reactivating zones 3 and 4 is the most rational option if zone 5 becomes full. These older zones were previously closed due to exceeding their capacity.

The plan to reopen zones 3 and 4 has been under discussion since 2025, but has been hampered by a significant budget shortfall. The reactivation is estimated to cost Rp24 billion. This funding is necessary for the renovations required to make the zones capable of receiving waste again.

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Actually, it has been discussed since last year, but the budget was not available. It's quite large, needing around Rp24 billion to reactivate zones 3 and 4.

Zone 5 was initially designed to hold 2 million tons of waste for two years. However, visual assessments indicate it is nearly full after only one year of operation since May 2025. Perdana confirmed that the landfill's limited capacity until October 2026 is known to the Governor of West Java.

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Based on calculations, zone 5 can only last until October 2026, and this is known by Mr. KDM (Governor of West Java).