📍 Hotel Bidakara, Jakarta (30 July), with a site visit to PT Wastec International’s facility in Purwakarta, West Java (31 July)
🤝 Jointly organised by the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Protection Agency of Indonesia (KLH) and the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ), with support from EX Research Institute and BCRC-SEA
Mercury is a highly toxic substance that can seriously harm human health and the environment. Indonesia ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury through Law No. 11 of 2017 and has since been working to manage mercury safely throughout its lifecycle. Japan has supported these efforts since 2014, including through the MOYAI Initiative and the development of Indonesia’s National Action Plan.
The 4th Focus Group Discussion (FGD) continued a series of discussions held since 2023. This edition focused on the legal and technical considerations for the final disposal of stabilised mercury in landfills. The topic is timely: Indonesia is drafting national technical guidelines for mercury storage and final disposal, and mercury stabilisation technology from Japan is planned for installation at a hazardous waste facility in Indonesia.
KLH presented the draft technical guidelines, covering temporary storage, stabilisation and solidification technology, and engineered landfill specifications. PT Wastec International shared its plans for mercury treatment and disposal at its integrated hazardous waste facility in Purwakarta. The Ministry of Industry outlined the challenges of managing mercury waste following the closure of Indonesia’s only chlor-alkali facility.
From the Japanese side, EX Research Institute presented Japan’s regulatory framework and scientific findings on the disposal of stabilised mercury. These findings showed that preventing contact between mercury and water is the most important factor for long-term safety. Nomura Kosan, Japan’s only dedicated mercury waste management company, shared its treatment technology and storage practices.
Participants included representatives from KLH, the Ministry of Industry, BRIN, PT Wastec International, Nomura Kosan, JICA experts and BCRC-SEA, attending both in person and online. Inputs from the discussion will support the finalisation of Indonesia’s mercury management guidelines and the future revision of national regulations on mercury waste. The following day, participants visited PT Wastec International’s facility in Purwakarta.
On 31 July, participants visited PT Wastec International’s facility in Purwakarta.