Managing Toxic Substances and Hazardous Waste

OVERVIEW

Indonesia and other industrialized countries in the world must deal with the management and disposal of hazardous and toxic materials. Indonesia’s recent rapid economic growth has resulted in higher levels of the production of hazardous and toxic materials creating an impetus in the need for better regulation in this area.

In 2012 alone, the total amount of hazardous and toxic waste originating from domestic industrial activities—including manufacturing and services, agroindustries, and oil and gas—reached 65,970,612 tonnes.[1] Based on the sheer amount of annual hazardous waste, it is already apparent that Indonesia needs a comprehensive legal framework to manage hazardous and toxic materials.