Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Garbage is an inseparable part of human life. The World Bank estimates that the earth produces 2.01 billion tons of urban waste annually, and at least 33 percent of that amount is not managed in an environmentally safe way.
Looking ahead, global waste volume is expected to increase to 3.40 billion tons by 2050. This figure is more than double the population growth over the same period.
Interestingly, the World Bank sees that there is a relationship between landfill waste and a country’s income level. The more prosperous the country, the less waste it generates.
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Photo: An environmental activist holds a banner during a peaceful demonstration at the Cipayung Landfill, Depok, West Java Province, Indonesia on May 31, 2023. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images/Anadolu Agency)
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Daily per capita waste generation in high-income countries is projected to increase by 19 percent by 2050, compared to low- and middle-income countries which are expected to increase by around 40% or more.
Here are the 5 largest landfills in the world according to Waste4Change:
1. Apex Regional, Las Vegas, Nevada – 22200 acres
The first position is the Final Disposal Site (TPA) called Apex Regional in Las Vegas which spans 2,200 hectares. This TPA can accommodate up to 15,000 tons of waste every day. Apex Regional is also used as a methane gas project to meet the gas needs of 10,000 Nevada households.
2. Laogang, Shanghai, China – 1000+ Hectares
Located in Laogang, Shanghai, China, this giant landfill has an area of more than 1000 hectares and can accommodate 189 million tons of waste annually.
Methane gas from the world’s largest landfill is reported to have been used by 100,000 homes.
3. Bordo Poniente, Mexico City, Mexico – 927 acres
In Mexico City, there is a garbage dump called Bordo Poniente. This landfill has contributed to generating 60 megawatts of electricity from the 1.5 million tonnes of waste received since 2012.
4. Malagrotta, Rome, Italy – 680 hectares
Malagrotta is located in Rome, Italy, and is claimed to have an area of 680 hectares. In 1997, the European Union rebuked and threatened to sanction the Malagrotta waste management authorities for violating EU law, which was also adopted by national law.
In 2011 the government declared a state of emergency in the area due to the environmental and health impacts caused by the TPA. The Malagrotta landfill finally closed permanently in 2013 after serving as a waste disposal facility in the capital city of Rome for the past 30 years.
5. Puente Hills, Los Angeles, California – 630 acres
Despite closing in 2013, Puente Hills is still the largest landfill in Los Angeles. By accommodating as much as 130 million tons of Los Angeles city waste, this landfill has generated 50 megawatts of electricity which is enough to light up 70,000 homes.
How about in Indonesia?
Indonesia has a TPA Bantar Gebang which is managed by the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta. The landfill, which has been operating since 1989, has a land area of 113.15 hectares.
When compared to the five giant landfill lists above, the size of Bantar Gebang is nothing.
According to the records of the Ministry of Environment, the total capacity of waste generation at the Bantar Gebang landfill reaches 7,708 tons/day. The Bantar Gebang TPA is also the location for the Waste Power Plant (PLTSa) pilot project which is a collaborative project between the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) and the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.
With a capacity of 100 tons/day, PLTSa produces an electricity output of up to 700 kW/hour.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
(hsy/hsy)