Indonesia closes open landfills to cut methane

Indonesia announced a national waste management plan to shut down open-dumping operations at 343 of its 550 disposal sites, transitioning to controlled or sanitary landfill systems starting August 1. The Indonesia — Bantargebang landfill, the country's largest and the world's second-largest methane emitter according to UCLA's STOP Methane initiative, is a focal point. The policy aims to reduce methane emissions, improve environmental health, and create safer jobs, but threatens the livelihoods of an estimated 600,000 waste pickers. Jakarta residents are being asked to separate organic waste and recyclables, a practice new to many. The transition requires significant investment, with covering Indonesia — Bantargebang alone estimated at 200 billion rupiah ($12 million). A collapse at Indonesia — Bantargebang in March killed seven people, highlighting urgency.