Bali faces waste crisis as traditional systems struggle with increased tourism and plastic use

Bali is experiencing a significant waste crisis, with traditional waste management systems unable to cope with the island's growth and increased tourism. A massive mound of rubbish appeared in Buduk village, north of Canggu, despite it not being an official landfill. Locals had been paying a monthly fee to the village to dump trash there. The issue highlights a broader problem following the partial closure of the Suwung landfill, which previously handled waste from Badung and Denpasar. The closure, aimed at promoting sustainable waste management, has led to chaos, with waste being burned, left on roadsides, and thrown into rivers. Gary Bencheghib, co-founder of Sungai Watch, noted an increase in rubbish around the island and more people burning waste due to confusion over disposal options. Urban biologist Buya Azmedia Istiqlal described the situation as a crisis, with residents reporting unpleasant fumes from burning rubbish. Bali generates about 3,500 tonnes of waste daily, with 15 percent being plastic. The introduction of plastic, replacing biodegradable materials, has created an awareness gap regarding its environmental impact. President Prabowo Subianto's comments about Bali being dirty prompted a clean-up drive in tourist areas. Solutions being explored include a proposed waste-to-energy facility near Suwung and efforts by local regencies and NGOs like Griya Luhu to sort waste, ban single-use plastics, and establish waste banks. The biggest challenge remains changing mi