Tourists Visiting Bali Must Embrace More Eco-Initiatives At Top Hotels

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Tourists traveling to Bali will soon be widely encouraged to support more eco-friendly practices at their chosen hotels and resorts.

This is because the Indonesian Minister for Environment, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, has issued an ultimatum to top Bali hotels and resorts over waste management. 

Bali’s issues with waste management are no secret. In fact, the island’s struggle to tackle mountains of waste and tides of trash has hit international news headlines over the last few years.

In light of September’s widespread flooding in Bali, the worst the island had seen in over 70 years, leaders are calling for urgent improvements to be made.

The Indonesian Environment Minister, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, has issued serious orders for the tourism and hospitality sector in Bali, which will have a knock-on effect for tourists. 

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In statements issued earlier this week, the minister told reporters, “Based on Law Number 18 of 2008, area owners are asked to finish their own garbage. Garbage is not allowed to come out except for residues that are charged to the local government, in this case, Mr. Governor and Mayor.”

His calculations show that the amount of waste being produced in Bali every day far outweighs what the island is currently capable of processing. With open landfills filling and recycling and waste processing facilities receiving more waste than they can cope with, the Environmental Minister wants to see tourism businesses take more responsibility for their operations.

He told reporters, “We tried to check the condition at the Suwung landfill, and it turned out that the amount of waste reached 1,800 tons/day based on the incoming trucks. So, where does this garbage come from if the population is only 1.1 million people served by the Suwung TPA?” 

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The orders from Minister Nurofiq have prompted a mixed response from locals, business owners, and tourism leaders.

The Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association for Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, shared his insights with the media.

Sukawati was also the Deputy Governor of Bali in the last political term and is often better known by his nickname, Cok Ace. 

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Sukawati told reporters that most hotels and restaurants in Bali already work with third parties to tackle their waste management and that surprisingly little waste from the hotel sector heads directly goes to Bali’s landfill sites.

He shared, “To address the waste we generate, we use partners like the TPPS3R (Recycling Agency) to collect waste from our premises and process it. This process is then outside the hotel’s jurisdiction. We also collaborate with other parties to collect leftover food waste.”

Cok Ace added that many of the starred hotels, targeted by Nurofiq’s orders, are among those that are already going above and beyond to minimise waste production and improve waste management protocols, since their businesses and public image rely so heavily on the vision of an ecologically healthy island.

He was clear that PHRI members, especially those who hold four and five-star status, are not the businesses that should be targeted by government warnings. 

He shared, “The water pollutes the environment, which is counterproductive to our efforts to promote culture. Don’t compare [PHRI Registered Hotels] to hotels that dump their waste into rivers.”

Tourists traveling to Bali are encouraged to conduct their research prior to booking their accommodation and prioritize making bookings with hotels, resorts, and other hosts that promote environmental sustainability and cultural preservation throughout their business operations. 

Top eco-friendly hotels, resorts, and retreats in Bali include Desa Potato Head in Seminyak, Bambu Indah in Sayan, Bali Eco-Stay in Tabanan Regency, and Mana Earth Ubud.

More off-the-beaten-path eco-stays can be found at Camaya Bali in East Bali and Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape in the central highlands of the island.