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🇸🇬 Singapore /Environment & Climate

Bali Drowning in Trash After Landfill Closure Sparks Crisis

From The Straits Times · (12m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Bali is struggling with a severe trash accumulation problem after its largest landfill was closed to organic waste in early April.
  • The closure, part of Indonesia's long-standing ban on open tips, has led to trash piling up in streets, attracting pests, and being burned by frustrated residents.
  • Business owners and tourists are complaining about the smell and unsanitary conditions, while sanitation workers have protested the lack of disposal alternatives, though temporary measures are being implemented.

The picturesque island of Bali, a jewel of Indonesia and a global tourism hotspot, is currently facing an environmental crisis that threatens its famed natural beauty. The recent closure of Bali's main landfill, Suwung, to organic waste, a move intended to enforce a national ban on open dumping, has instead created a chaotic situation. Trash is now accumulating on streets, creating a pungent odor and attracting vermin, while desperate residents resort to burning the waste, leading to air pollution concerns.

As a business owner, this is a real nuisance.

— Ms Yuvita Anggi PrinandaA flower stall owner in Bali describes the negative impact of the accumulating trash on her business.

This situation is a stark reminder of the challenges Indonesia faces in managing waste, especially in densely populated tourist areas. While the government's intention to phase out open landfills is commendable and aligns with global environmental standards, the lack of immediate, viable alternatives has left local authorities and citizens in a difficult position. Businesses, like Ms. Yuvita's flower stall, are directly impacted, losing customers due to the unpleasant conditions. Tourists, like Australian visitor Justin Butcher, are expressing dismay at the unsightly and unhygienic state of popular areas like Kuta beach.

Some customers, perhaps bothered by the smell, ended up not making a purchase.

— Ms Yuvita Anggi PrinandaThe stall owner explains how the stench from the trash is deterring customers.

From our perspective at The Straits Times, this issue highlights the critical need for robust waste management infrastructure and effective public education campaigns. The sheer volume of waste generated, exacerbated by millions of tourists annually, requires a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond simply closing landfills. While the government has promised temporary relief and a long-term commitment to ending open dumping, the immediate future remains uncertain. The protests by sanitation workers underscore the practical difficulties on the ground. This is not just an environmental issue; it's an economic and public health challenge that requires urgent and sustainable solutions for Bali and Indonesia as a whole.

You have many rats here at night-time. The smell is not very good... it’s not a good look.

— Justin ButcherAn Australian tourist comments on the unsanitary conditions and unpleasant smell at Kuta beach due to the trash.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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