Bali is in the midst of a battle against tides of plastic trash and decades of poor waste management. The issue is being felt by both local communities and tourists, and over the last week, leaders have been rallying together to implement a new round of solutions to the ongoing problem.
Here at The Bali Sun we do not shy away from being honest about the situation on the ground. There is so much that we all love about Bali, which is why more than 7 million tourists visit the island each year.
As with everything, there are two sides to every story, and the reality on the ground right now is that the island is being barraged by tides of ocean debris. The issue is not only affecting local communities and tourists’ experience of the island but also marine life and the wider ecology of the island and its waters.
Make no mistake, this is an issue that has been slowly building in severity for more than a decade. Every year, during the height of the rainy season, tides of plastic trash and ocean debris wash up along the shores of Badung Regency. The worst affected areas are typically Jimbaran, Kuta and Legian, which just so happen to be amongst the most popular beach resorts in all of Bali.
Earlier this week, following directives from the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Bali Governor Wayan Koster created a new Beach Waste Management Task Force to tackle the issue.
Until this week, there had already been dedicated beach cleaning staff who worked under the directive of the Badung Environment and Sanitation Agency, but this new task force will work exclusively on the beaches and not have to serve the wider areas.
Leaders within the Badung Regency Government have spoken to reporters about their relief that these new solutions are to be implemented and so rapidly.
Not only has the new task force been assembled. Local civil servant IB Gede Arjana told reporters, “If it is indeed formed by the Governor, of course, we really welcome it. With the Task Force, the number of cleaning personnel involved can be more. Starting from supervision, control, cleaning to transportation and waste management can be more continuous and sustainable.”
At present, there are 300 staff from the Badung Environment and Sanitation Agency who are on standby to clean up tides of ocean debris as it arrives.
However, more hands are needed, which is why this week tourists visiting Jimbaran Beach, Kedonganan Beach, Kuta Beach, or Legian Beach would have seen clean-up teams comprised of army officers, police officers, and local school students, too.
Bali’s Battle Against Trash
3,200 tonnes removed since October. Tap a card to see the new solutions and safe zones.
TRASH TIDES
Where & Why
TAP TO REVEALTASK FORCE
Governor’s Directive
TAP TO REVEAL3,200 TONNES
Cleared Since Oct ’25
TAP TO REVEALWHAT TO DO
Where to Swim
TAP TO REVEALHowever, the volume of waste has now surpassed the capacity of the Badung Environment and Sanitation Agency, Arjana explained, “If we talk about sufficient, it’s certainly not enough. The volume of waste is very high. We are overwhelmed because we have to handle beach waste, city waste, and village waste all at once.”
He added, “From the types, it appears that some products are not from Bali. In fact, it’s not just plastic, there are logs and twigs. It is suspected that they came from outside Bali, and whether we like it or not, it is our responsibility to clean it up.“
It has been confirmed that more than 3,200 tonnes of trash have been cleared from the area since October 2025. The Head of the Cleanliness and Hazardous Waste Management Division of the Badung DLHK, welcomed the support of the provincial and central government in tackling the mounting problem.
He explained, “If it were only the local government, it would certainly be difficult because this waste is not generated by just one party. If there were a provincial task force, it would certainly be more integrated, including guarding rivers so that waste does not enter the sea.”
He called for even more strategic support, concluding, “If there were a national task force, it would certainly be better because waste from large rivers could be controlled from there. Bali is like a bay, so a lot of marine waste collects here, especially in Jimbaran.”
Tourists traveling to the area in the coming weeks have two very simple choices. Continue to visit the beaches and time beach days to start a little later in the morning so that clean-up teams have time to clear the area of overnight tides of trash.
Or stay in areas along the Badung coast that are typically less affected by the trash tides. These include Canggu, Uluwatu, and Nusa Dua.
Remove All Ads & Unlock All Articles… Sign up for The Bali Sun Premium
Plan Your Bali Holiday:
Book The Best English Speaking Drivers For Airport Transfers & Tours
Choose From Thousands of Bali Hotels, Resorts, and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
Book Cheap Flights To Bali
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance That Covers Medical Expenses In Bali
For the latest Bali News & Debate Join our Facebook Community
SUBSCRIBE TO NEW POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Bali Sun’s latest breaking news, straight to your inbox.
Discover more from The Bali Sun
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
indopama
Friday 6th of February 2026
local communities are not affected at all since they continue throwing their garbage in the rivers.
THIRD WORLD mindset can't be changed so fast....