The waste problem is a homework for all countries, especially high-populated developing countries like Indonesia. The country is predicted to be the fifth largest waste generating country, with most of its waste still going to the landfill. Our study aims to review policy challenges for Indonesia in implementing waste management measures, especially compared to some benchmark countries, which include Germany, Netherlands, and Denmark. These countries are considered as frontrunners in waste to energy implementation. Although several similar waste management policies in EU countries have been partially implemented in Indonesia, its implementation can still be improved. A full implementation requires several top-down and bottom-up approaches involving the participation of informal sectors and their associations. Indonesia should also identify other technologies than refuse-derived fuels to optimize waste usage for energy. @en