Indonesia Pursues Mercury Free by 2030, KLH Strengthens Toxic Waste Management

Encourage mercury waste encapsulation technology

When visiting PT Wastec International in Cilegon, Diaz encouraged the company to continue developing mercury waste management technology.

PT Wastec International is said to be the only mercury waste management facility in Indonesia currently. One of the technologies being pushed by KLH/Environmental Management Agency (BPLH) is encapsulation, namely isolating waste so that mercury does not escape and pollute the environment.

According to Diaz, mercury management must be carried out safely because this substance can endanger human health and the ecosystem.

“We are targeted to achieve zero mercury through Presidential Regulation Number 21 of 2019. In addition, based on Minister of the Environment Regulation Number 13 of 2025, mercury must be managed before 2030. Therefore, we appreciate Wastec for helping to achieve this target,” he said.

To date, KLH/Environmental Management Agency (BPLH) has withdrawn around 81,236 units of medical equipment containing mercury from 22 provinces.

Diaz also highlighted the use of mercury in Small Scale Gold Mining (PESK) activities. Apart from endangering workers, mercury pollution from these activities can spread to land, water, food chains and communities around mining sites.

“The use of mercury is illegal and very dangerous. "Unfortunately, mercury is still often found in medical devices and ASGM activities," he said. he said.