Draft Presidential Regulation on RDF to Align Technology with Regional Characteristics

The preparation of a Presidential Regulation (“Perpres”) specifically governing the implementation of Refuse-Derived Fuel (“RDF”) technology is currently under discussion at the Ministry of Environment (Linkungan Hidup – “LH”). The regulation is being developed to provide a legal basis for the utilization of RDF, which has not yet been explicitly regulated under Presidential Regulation No. 109 of 2025 on Urban Waste Management through Waste Processing into Renewable Energy Based on Environmentally Friendly Technology.

“We are currently preparing the relevant study, particularly the statement of urgency. In other words, we are preparing the academic paper because RDF management is not explicitly addressed under Perpres,” said Andina Novita Tas’ang, Head of the Waste Sector Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Working Team, to Hukumonline.

Andina explained that one of the key focuses in preparing the academic paper for the Perpres is establishing a framework for waste management governance by regional governments, allowing them to determine the most suitable waste processing technology based on the characteristics of each region. The regulation is also intended to prioritize areas located near cement industries, requiring such areas to utilize RDF technology rather than other technologies, such as Waste-to-Energy Power Plants (“PLTSa”).

In addition, the preparation of the Perpres considers investment efficiency aspect of waste management. Through the regulation, the government will assess and compare the effectiveness of technologies capable of processing waste on a large scale at the city level with smaller-scale waste processing technologies, ensuring that the implementation of technology can be adjusted to the needs and capacity of each region.

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