Bali faces waste crisis as tourist numbers surge

Bali is experiencing a severe waste crisis, with locals referring to it as the “Island of Trash.” The village of Buduk, north of Canggu, has become a dumping ground for rubbish, despite not being an official landfill. This situation highlights broader waste management issues across the island. The Suwung landfill, Bali’s main disposal site, is overwhelmed and has temporarily reopened for organic waste two days a week, leading to illegal dumping and trash burning. Environmental advocates, including Gary Bencheghib, co-founder of Sungai Watch, note increased waste accumulation due to confusion over disposal methods. The island's waste management struggles to keep pace with a nearly threefold increase in tourism over 15 years. Last year, Bali welcomed almost 7 million foreign tourists, generating approximately 3,500 tonnes of waste daily, largely organic and plastic. The shift to plastic packaging has exacerbated the environmental crisis. Local governments are under pressure to find sustainable waste management solutions.