Waste to Energy: Astra's Strategy to Realize a Circular Economy

Waste is a major global challenge, particularly in Indonesia. Increasing waste volumes and limited landfill space require governments and industries to seek more effective solutions. Waste to energy is emerging as a leading approach.

While the term may be unfamiliar, waste to energy is widely recognized as a modern, sustainable solution to the global waste problem.

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What Is Waste to Energy?

Waste to energy is a technology that converts waste into usable energy, such as electricity, heat, alternative fuels, or biogas. Beyond reducing waste volumes, it supports the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.

This approach supports both global and national efforts toward energy transition and a circular economy. In summary, waste to energy not only addresses waste management but also transforms waste into a valuable resource.

Why Waste to Energy Is an Effective Waste Management Solution?

Population growth, urbanisation, and industrial activity are steadily increasing waste production each year. Without proper management, this waste leads to significant environmental issues.

Waste to energy technology offers a comprehensive solution by addressing several key challenges:

• Reducing Waste Accumulation: Waste to energy significantly decreases the volume of waste sent to landfills, extending their operational lifespan.
• Generating Alternative Energy: Previously non-valuable waste is converted into electricity or usable fuel.
• Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Processing organic waste prevents methane emissions from landfills, which are more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide.
• Supporting the Circular Economy: Waste to energy encourages resource recovery and reduces landfill disposal.
  
  

Why Waste to Energy Matters

Several factors have brought this technology to global attention:

• Landfill waste produces methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than CO₂.
• Energy demand continues to rise alongside population growth and industrial expansion.
• Available land for new landfills is shrinking, particularly in urban areas.

As climate change accelerates and demand for clean energy grows, waste to energy offers a practical and strategic solution.

Types of Technology Used in Waste to Energy

Several technologies can convert waste into energy. These fall into two main categories:

1. Thermal Technologies

• Depolymerization/Hydrous Pyrolysis: Uses thermal decomposition to break down organic components at high temperatures.
• Gasification: Converts carbon-based materials into carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen using high heat without combustion.
• Pyrolysis: Processes agricultural or organic industrial waste into energy in an oxygen-free environment.
• Plasma Arc Gasification: Generates electricity by using a plasma torch to ionize gas and produce synthesis gas (syngas).
  
  

2. Non-Thermal Technologies

• Fermentation: Uses enzymes to trigger chemical changes in organic materials in an oxygen-free environment.
• Anaerobic Digestion: Microorganisms break down biodegradable materials, capturing the energy released. This method is suitable for both domestic and commercial use.

How Waste to Energy Operates

While specific technologies vary, the waste to energy process generally includes the following steps:

1. Waste Collection: Waste is collected from households, commercial areas, and industrial sites.

2. Sorting: Waste is separated by type, allowing recyclable materials to be processed first and the remaining residue to be used as feedstock for energy production.

3. Processing: The remaining waste is treated using technologies such as incineration, gasification, pyrolysis, or anaerobic digestion.

4. Energy Production: These processes generate heat, gas, or steam, which are used to power turbines or produce alternative fuels.

5. Residual Management: Byproducts such as combustion ash must be managed according to environmental standards to prevent pollution.

Strategies to Accelerate Waste to Energy Adoption in Indonesia

To maximize impact, several strategic steps are required:

• Improve the Waste Management System: Enhanced waste sorting and collection are essential to provide consistent, high-quality feedstock for waste to energy facilities.
• Strengthen Regulations and Incentives: Clear policies on financing, emissions control, and investment incentives are needed to attract more private-sector participation.
• Sustain Public Education: Ongoing awareness campaigns are vital to reduce resistance and build community support.
• Drive Technological Innovation: Technologies should be adapted to Indonesia's specific waste characteristics, leveraging local research and innovation.

Key Benefits of Waste to Energy

Implementing waste to energy offers significant benefits for both the environment and the energy sector, including:

• Reducing Reliance on Landfills: Diverting waste from landfills reduces the need for new landfill sites.
• Generating Renewable Energy: The energy produced can supplement national electricity supplies.
• Reducing Carbon Emissions: Effective waste management lowers greenhouse gas emissions from landfills.
• Supporting Energy Security: Waste to energy serves as an alternative energy source that utilizes local resources.
• Promoting Green Economic Growth: Developing waste to energy facilities creates investment opportunities, jobs, and drives technological innovation.
  
  

Industry's Role and PT Astra International Tbk's 's Commitment to Waste Management

PT Astra International Tbk  demonstrates a strong commitment to waste management through the following key actions:

• Achieving up to 98.92% solid waste management, reflecting PT Astra International Tbk's focus on resource efficiency and the circular economy.
• A strategic waste management collaboration between PT Energia Prima Nusantara, Sumitomo Corporation, and Kanadevia Corporation to manage the Bandung Final Waste Processing Facility (TPPAS) in West Java.
• Applying the 6R concept (Refine, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recovery, Retrieve to Energy) across solid waste management operations.
• Promoting pest control and reducing hazardous waste (B3) generation through the use of the Green Biological Agent (G-Bant) by PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk.
• Establishing Recycling Outlets (Gerai Daur Ulang) as centralized hubs for waste collection and processing.
• Launching the #AKSI: Ayo Kurangi Sampah Indonesia campaign by FIFGROUP.
  
  

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Waste to Energy: Modern Technology as a Solution to Reduce Waste Generation

Waste to energy provides an innovative solution to the waste crisis while generating clean, alternative energy. This approach aligns with the global climate agenda and is particularly relevant for Indonesia, where waste volumes remain a significant challenge.

Companies such as PT Astra International Tbk  are driving this transition by applying circular economy principles, fostering environmental innovation, and maintaining transparent reporting. For more information on PT Astra International Tbk's sustainability initiatives and contributions, please refer to the Astra Sustainability Report.