Talk of trash is intense this week in Bali…more intense than usual. The island’s longstanding issues with waste management impact both local communities and visiting tourists, and it is an issue that has even hit international headlines.
With the island’s biggest open landfill set to close in a matter of months, some big changes are necessary. It’s going to take a collective effort.
Bali’s biggest open landfill, the Suwung TPA, stopped accepting organic waste as of 1st April 2026. This is the latest in a series of attempts to formally close the waste disposal site once and for all.
Leaders have been working to close the site, which has been acknowledged to be a major biohazard and threat to public and ecological health, since 2022.
Attempts to shut the facility once and for all back in December 2025 were thwarted at the last minute, but this latest phase of the closure seems to have been held for now.
Speaking from Denpasar, Governor Koster explained, “The Mayor and Regent of Badung, along with me, have reported on the progress at the Suwung Landfill from March 31st to April 6th. I’ve observed that the residual waste being transported to the Suwung Landfill is progressing very well.”
“The number of trucks arriving at the Suwung Landfill has decreased significantly. Previously, the number of trucks arriving at the landfill reached over 500 per day. Now, this has decreased significantly, by more than 50 percent on average. So, there has been remarkable progress.”
Adding “At first, there was a bit of a commotion because trucks were stopped from bringing in organic waste. It was prohibited, and they had to turn back. Now, that kind of thing has stopped, so this is progress.”
Though Suwung TPA has stopped accepting organic waste and mixed waste that contains organic material, the knock-on effect has been deeply concerning.
In just the short period of a week, the increase in illegal waste burning and illegal disposal of waste into rivers and waterways has been hugely concerning. Governor Koster, has confirmed that a major clean-up operation is underway.
Governor Koster told reporters, “The Head of the Bali Provincial Environmental Agency (DLKH) has implemented the clean up.”
One of the biggest issues at play is that the new system that is designed to process the tonnes upon tonnes of waste that is sent from across Denpasar and Baundy Regency to Suwung TPA every day, isn’t even built yet. The new Waste to Energy (PSEL) facility is not due to start construction until June.
The Head of the Bali Civil Service Police, Satpol PP, Dewa Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, has confirmed that all those found to be illegally dumping waste will be subject to minor criminal offence sanctions known as tipiring.
He explained, “Regency and city Public Order Agency Officers are ready to conduct tipiring operations against anyone violating waste management regulations. We are also conducting educational efforts to encourage public awareness.”
Dharmadi is calling on all residents, businesses, and visitors to Bali to play a role in ensuring that waste management processes are adhered to properly.
He explained, “If sorting is done at home, the transportation and processing process will be much easier. The district and city governments have actually prepared the supporting facilities.”
He concluded, “We are working to eliminate any further waste burning. We’ve seen the numbers starting to decrease, but we must continue to monitor and take action if it persists.”
Waste management isn’t an issue that tourists really want to be thinking about while on vacation. As many have pointed out before, this situation should have been resolved a long time ago, for the good of local residents, the environment, and visiting tourists.
Tourists can play an active role in supporting sustainable tourism in Bali by booking experiences, stays, and dining with businesses and organisations that are committed to sustainable and even regenerative practices.
Organisations like Astungkara Way are pioneering regenerative tourism in Bali, and restaurants like Penida Colada in Nusa Penida have their own Trash to Treats initiative to encourage tourists to collect rubbish from the beach in return for a coffee or a coconut.
Waterbom Bali, the island’s best waterpark, has been championing sustainable tourism since 1993…eco-friendly vacations can be more fun than you first think!
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