Bogor. The Indonesian government is set to begin rolling out waste-to-energy projects across 34 cities and regencies grappling with severe waste emergencies, a senior presidential aide said on Tuesday.

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the projects will prioritize areas where daily waste volumes exceed 1,000 tons.

The waste-to-energy facilities are expected to reduce environmental pressure, lower public health risks caused by accumulating waste, and contribute to the national electricity supply, Prasetyo said during a visit to Bogor.

“This issue requires immediate handling so the waste can be processed properly and does not continue to pile up and create wider problems,” he said.

The waste-to-energy initiative is one of 18 national strategic projects scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2026. All projects have passed the pre-feasibility stage and carry a combined investment value of Rp 600 trillion ($35.8 billion). Their implementation will be led by sovereign wealth fund Danantara Indonesia.

Prasetyo added that the government will also soon break ground on coal gasification projects to produce dimethyl ether (DME), using low-calorie coal as an alternative fuel to reduce reliance on imported liquefied petroleum gas.

One of the areas facing the most acute waste challenges is South Tangerang, where the local administration recently declared a waste emergency that officially ended on Monday.

Mayor Benyamin Davnie said the city is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of waste management conditions before deciding whether to extend the emergency status.

Despite the formal end of the emergency period, large piles of garbage remain visible at several locations, particularly around traditional markets. Observations at Ciputat Market, Cimanggis Market, and Jombang Market showed waste heaps spilling onto roads.

The piles, reaching up to three meters high — nearly level with nearby shop roofs — are dominated by market waste such as chicken, beef, fish remnants, vegetables, and plastic packaging. Household waste, including food wrappers, bottled water containers, and discarded clothing, was also mixed into the mounds.

Garbage dumping has continued unabated, with traders and residents seen disposing of waste at the sites using motorcycles and private cars. The situation has disrupted market activity and created discomfort for both vendors and shoppers, highlighting the urgency of longer-term waste management solutions.