B3 Waste Treatment in Indonesia: Thermal, Stabilization, and Other Methods Under PP 22/2021
Executive Summary
Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021 (PP 22/2021) establishes the regulatory framework for B3 (hazardous and toxic) waste treatment through BAB VII Paragraf 8 (Articles 342-368). Treatment represents the critical stage where hazardous waste characteristics are destroyed or permanently immobilized before final disposal, protecting human health and the environment from residual risks.
The regulation recognizes three primary treatment categories. Thermal treatment destroys organic contaminants through high-temperature combustion with stringent efficiency requirements. Stabilization and solidification immobilize hazardous constituents in solid matrices suitable for controlled landfill disposal. Other treatment methods accommodate emerging technologies as science advances.
Technical standards for thermal treatment require combustion efficiency of at least 99.99% for general waste and destruction efficiency of 99.9999% for halogenated organic compounds. These extraordinary precision requirements reflect the severity of health risks from incomplete combustion of hazardous materials.
The licensing framework operates through sequential approvals. Technical Approval from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry establishes treatment capability. Environmental Approval addresses broader project impacts. Business License authorizes commercial operations. Operational Eligibility Letters confirm facility compliance before operations commence.
Background & Context
B3 waste treatment addresses materials that cannot be safely utilized or recycled. While utilization recovers economic value from hazardous waste, treatment permanently destroys or immobilizes hazardous characteristics when recovery is infeasible or when waste poses risks exceeding recovery benefits.
Indonesia's treatment framework distinguishes between generators treating their own waste and third-party commercial treatment facilities. Both face similar technical requirements but different licensing scales and business model considerations.
Thermal treatment dominates high-hazard waste management globally due to its effectiveness against organic contaminants. Properly operated incinerators destroy organic compounds through oxidation while concentrating inorganic residues in manageable ash volumes. However, incomplete combustion can generate products of incomplete combustion including dioxins and furans - compounds more hazardous than original waste. Efficiency standards in PP 22/2021 address this risk directly.
Stabilization and solidification serve different waste streams - primarily inorganic hazardous waste containing heavy metals or other constituents unsuitable for thermal destruction. Mixing waste with binding agents creates solid blocks with reduced leaching potential suitable for controlled landfill disposal.
Key Provisions
Treatment Methods
The regulation specifies three treatment pathways.
Pasal 343 Ayat 1:
"(1) Pengolahan Limbah B3 sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 342 dilakukan dengan cara: a. termal; b. stabilisasi dan solidifikasi; dan/atau c. cara lain sesuai dengan perkembangan ilmu pengetahuan dan teknologi."
Thermal treatment encompasses incineration and other high-temperature destruction methods. Stabilization and solidification immobilize contaminants through chemical binding and physical encapsulation. Other methods accommodate technological advances in treatment science. The framework remains technology-neutral while establishing outcome-based performance requirements.
Treatment Considerations
Technology and environmental factors guide treatment authorization.
Pasal 343 Ayat 2:
"(2) Pengolahan Limbah B3 sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) dilakukan dengan mempertimbangkan: a. ketersediaan teknologi; dan b. standar Lingkungan Hidup atau baku mutu Lingkungan Hidup."
Available technology determines feasible treatment approaches for specific waste streams. Environmental standards and quality thresholds establish performance requirements that treatment must achieve. Both factors inform technical approval decisions.
Licensing Requirements
Treatment requires multiple approvals.
Pasal 344:
"Untuk dapat melakukan Pengolahan Limbah B3 sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 343, Setiap Orang yang menghasilkan Limbah B3 wajib memiliki: a. Persetujuan Lingkungan; dan b. Perizinan Berusaha."
Every generator conducting B3 waste treatment must obtain Environmental Approval and Business License. These approvals build upon prerequisite Technical Approval establishing treatment capability and facility adequacy.
Thermal Treatment Standards
Stringent performance requirements govern thermal treatment.
Pasal 345:
"(1) Standar pelaksanaan Pengolahan Limbah B3 untuk Pengolahan Limbah B3 yang dilakukan dengan cara termal sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 343 ayat (1) huruf a meliputi: a. Baku Mutu Emisi; b. standar efisiensi pembakaran dengan nilai paling sedikit mencapai 99,99% (sembilan puluh sembilan koma sembilan sembilan persen); c. standar efisiensi penghancuran dan penghilangan dengan nilai paling sedikit mencapai 99,9999% (sembilan puluh sembilan koma sembilan sembilan sembilan sembilan persen), untuk Limbah B3 yang mengandung senyawa organik halogen; dan d. standar suhu yang harus dicapai sesuai jenis Limbah B3 yang diolah."
Emission quality standards apply to all thermal treatment releases. Combustion efficiency must reach at least 99.99% - meaning only 0.01% of organic material may escape destruction. For halogenated organic compounds including chlorinated solvents, pesticides, and PCBs, destruction and removal efficiency must reach 99.9999% - one part per million maximum survival rate. Temperature standards vary by waste type to ensure complete combustion.
Stabilization and Solidification Standards
Physical-chemical treatment faces different standards.
Pasal 346:
"(1) Standar pelaksanaan Pengolahan Limbah B3 untuk Pengolahan Limbah B3 yang dilakukan dengan cara stabilisasi dan solidifikasi sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 343 ayat (1) huruf b berupa baku mutu stabilisasi dan solidifikasi berdasarkan analisis organik dan anorganik. (2) Baku mutu stabilisasi dan solidifikasi sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) tercantum dalam Lampiran XIX yang merupakan bagian tidak terpisahkan dari Peraturan Pemerintah ini."
Stabilization and solidification quality standards appear in Annex XIX of PP 22/2021. Standards address both organic and inorganic constituent leaching from treated material. Treated waste must meet these standards before landfill disposal.
Technical Approval Application
Comprehensive documentation supports treatment authorization.
Pasal 347 Ayat 2:
"(2) Setiap Orang yang menghasilkan Limbah B3 sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) mengajukan permohonan Persetujuan Teknis Pengelolaan Limbah B3 untuk kegiatan Pengolahan Limbah B3 kepada Menteri, dilengkapi dengan persyaratan yang meliputi: a. nama, sumber, karakteristik, dan jumlah Limbah B3 yang akan diolah; b. lokasi dan koordinat kegiatan Pengolahan Limbah B3; c. rencana pembangunan fasilitas Pengolahan Limbah B3; d. dokumen mengenai tempat Penyimpanan Limbah B3; e. dokumen mengenai pengemasan Limbah B3; f. dokumen mengenai desain dan spesifikasi teknologi, metode, proses, dan kapasitas Pengolahan Limbah B3; g. dokumen mengenai nama dan jumlah bahan baku dan/atau bahan penolong berupa Limbah B3 untuk campuran Pengolahan Limbah B3; h. prosedur Pengolahan Limbah B3; i. dokumen rencana uji coba peralatan, metode, teknologi, dan/atau fasilitas Pengolahan Limbah B3; j. Sistem Tanggap Darurat berupa dokumen program kedaruratan Pengelolaan Limbah B3; dan k. tenaga kerja yang memiliki sertifikat kompetensi di bidang Pengelolaan Limbah B3."
Applications must identify waste to be treated by name, source, characteristics, and quantity. Location coordinates enable site identification. Facility construction plans, storage and packaging documentation, technology specifications including design, method, process, and capacity, raw material composition, treatment procedures, trial plans, emergency response systems, and certified personnel all require documentation.
Approval Timeline
Defined timelines govern technical approval processing.
Pasal 348:
"(1) Menteri setelah menerima permohonan Persetujuan Teknis Pengelolaan Limbah B3 untuk kegiatan Pengolahan Limbah B3 sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 347 memberikan pernyataan tertulis mengenai kelengkapan administrasi permohonan Persetujuan Teknis paling lama 2 (dua) hari kerja sejak permohonan diterima. (2) Setelah permohonan dinyatakan lengkap, Menteri melakukan verifikasi paling lama 7 (tujuh) hari kerja. (3) Dalam hal hasil verifikasi sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (2) menunjukkan: a. permohonan Persetujuan Teknis memenuhi persyaratan, Menteri menerbitkan Persetujuan Teknis Pengelolaan Limbah B3 untuk kegiatan Pengolahan Limbah B3 paling lama 7 (tujuh) hari kerja sejak hasil verifikasi diketahui."
Administrative completeness determination occurs within 2 working days. Technical verification follows within 7 working days. Approval or rejection with reasons takes up to 7 working days after verification. Complete applications meeting requirements can expect technical approval within approximately 16 working days.
Treatment Obligations
Licensed treatment operators face ongoing requirements.
Pasal 351 Ayat 1:
"(1) Penghasil Limbah B3 yang melakukan kegiatan Pengolahan Limbah B3 wajib: a. melaksanakan kewajiban sebagaimana tercantum dalam Persetujuan Teknis Pengelolaan Limbah B3 untuk kegiatan Pengolahan Limbah B3; b. melakukan Penyimpanan Limbah B3 yang dihasilkan di tempat Penyimpanan Limbah B3; c. melakukan pengemasan Limbah B3 yang dihasilkannya; d. melakukan Pengumpulan Limbah B3 yang dihasilkannya; e. melakukan Pengolahan Limbah B3 yang dihasilkannya sesuai dengan ketentuan dalam Persetujuan Teknis; f. memenuhi standar pelaksanaan Pengolahan Limbah B3; g. menaati Baku Mutu Air Limbah, jika Pengolahan Limbah B3 menghasilkan Air Limbah."
Operators must comply with technical approval terms, maintain proper waste storage and packaging, conduct treatment within approved parameters, meet treatment performance standards, and comply with wastewater quality standards for any liquid releases.
Thermal Residue Management
Thermal treatment generates secondary waste requiring management.
Pasal 351 Ayat 2:
"(2) Dalam hal Pengolahan Limbah B3 dilakukan dengan cara termal, selain memenuhi kewajiban sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1), pemegang Persetujuan Teknis Pengelolaan Limbah B3 wajib melakukan penyimpanan residu dan/atau sisa pembakaran berupa abu dan cairan sesuai dengan ketentuan sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 285 sampai dengan Pasal 297."
Thermal treatment produces ash and liquid residues that remain hazardous due to concentrated heavy metals and other inorganic constituents. These residues must be stored according to B3 waste storage requirements before further treatment or disposal.
Stabilization Output Requirements
Stabilized waste requires controlled disposal.
Pasal 351 Ayat 3:
"(3) Dalam hal Pengolahan Limbah B3 dilakukan dengan cara stabilisasi dan solidifikasi, selain memenuhi kewajiban sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1), pemegang Persetujuan Teknis Pengelolaan Limbah B3 wajib melakukan Penimbunan Limbah B3 hasil stabilisasi dan solidifikasi di fasilitas penimbunan akhir Limbah B3."
Stabilized and solidified waste must proceed to B3 waste landfills for final disposal. The treatment does not eliminate hazardous characteristics but immobilizes them sufficiently for controlled landfill management. This requirement ensures stabilized material enters appropriate disposal pathways rather than general waste streams.
Facility Verification and SLO
Constructed facilities require verification before operations.
Pasal 352:
"(1) Berdasarkan laporan pembangunan fasilitas Pengolahan Limbah B3 sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 351 ayat (1) huruf i, Menteri melakukan verifikasi paling lambat 10 (sepuluh) hari kerja sejak laporan diterima. (2) Dalam hal hasil verifikasi sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) menunjukkan fasilitas Pengolahan Limbah B3: a. sesuai dengan Persetujuan Teknis Pengelolaan Limbah B3 untuk kegiatan Pengolahan Limbah B3, Menteri menerbitkan SLO kegiatan Pengolahan Limbah B3; b. tidak sesuai dengan Persetujuan Teknis Pengelolaan Limbah B3 untuk kegiatan Pengolahan Limbah B3, Menteri menyampaikan surat agar Penghasil Limbah B3 mengubah rencana pembangunan fasilitas. (3) Penerbitan SLO atau penyampaian surat sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (2) dilakukan paling lama 7 (tujuh) hari setelah verifikasi dilakukan."
Facility construction reports trigger verification within 10 working days. Compliant facilities receive Operational Eligibility Letters (SLO) within 7 days of verification. Non-compliant facilities receive direction to modify construction plans.
Third-Party Treatment
Generators unable to treat themselves may transfer to specialists.
Pasal 355:
"(1) Dalam hal Setiap Orang yang menghasilkan Limbah B3 tidak mampu melakukan sendiri Pengolahan Limbah B3 yang dihasilkannya: a. Pengolahan Limbah B3 diserahkan kepada Pengolah Limbah B3; atau b. dapat melakukan ekspor Limbah B3 yang dihasilkannya. (2) Penyerahan Limbah B3 kepada Pengolah Limbah B3 sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) huruf a disertai dengan bukti penyerahan Limbah B3. (3) Salinan bukti penyerahan Limbah B3 sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (2) disampaikan kepada Menteri paling lama 7 (tujuh) hari setelah penyerahan Limbah B3."
Generators may transfer waste to licensed B3 waste treaters with documented proof of transfer. Transfer documentation copies must reach the Minister within 7 days. Export remains available when domestic treatment technology is unavailable.
Implementation & Compliance
Treatment method selection should match waste characteristics. Organic contaminants typically require thermal treatment for complete destruction. Inorganic hazardous waste, particularly heavy metals, often suits stabilization and solidification better than thermal methods.
Thermal treatment facilities require substantial capital investment and operational expertise. Combustion efficiency monitoring, emission control systems, and residue management all require sophisticated equipment and trained personnel. Facilities treating halogenated organic compounds face even more stringent requirements with 99.9999% destruction efficiency.
Stabilization and solidification may appear simpler but require careful formulation matching binding agents to specific waste characteristics. Inadequate formulation results in unstable products that fail leaching tests and cannot proceed to disposal.
Trial requirements apply to thermal treatment and methods lacking Indonesian National Standards. Trials demonstrate actual performance before full operational authorization. Trial results must meet performance standards to receive Operational Eligibility Letters.
Six-month reporting to the Ministry creates ongoing documentation obligations. Treatment operators should maintain detailed records of waste received, treatment parameters, residue generation, and emissions monitoring to support timely report preparation.
Conclusion
PP 22/2021's B3 waste treatment framework establishes stringent performance requirements protecting public health and the environment from hazardous waste risks. Thermal treatment standards demanding 99.99% to 99.9999% destruction efficiency reflect the severity of incomplete treatment consequences. Stabilization and solidification standards ensure immobilized waste meets leaching criteria before landfill disposal.
The multi-stage licensing process with technical approval, environmental approval, business license, and operational eligibility verification ensures only qualified operators with adequate facilities conduct hazardous waste treatment. Reporting requirements create accountability for treatment performance throughout facility operations.
Official Source
This article analyzes Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021 on Environmental Protection and Management Implementation (PP 22/2021), specifically BAB VII Paragraf 8 (Pasal 342-368) on B3 Waste Treatment.
The official regulation text can be accessed at:
Primary Source:
PP No. 22 Tahun 2021 - BPK Regulation Portal
Alternative Sources:
- JDIH Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan
Official Gazette: Lembaran Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 2021 Nomor 32
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