What in the World
Could Bali become waste-free in just two years?
May 6, 2025
Hanna Samosir, a BBC reporter based in Jakarta, sheds light on Bali's pressing waste management crisis. She discusses the ambitious goal set by the governor to make the island waste-free by 2027 amidst overwhelming plastic pollution. Tourists generate far more waste than locals, complicating efforts to go green. Challenges include managing organic waste and the stronghold of single-use plastics. Yet, regulatory changes for businesses and innovative solutions are on the horizon in Bali's fight against waste.
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Quick takeaways
- Bali's ambitious goal to become waste-free by 2027 hinges on overcoming significant challenges posed by tourist-generated plastic waste and inadequate waste management systems.
- Experts underscore that achieving a waste-free Bali will require not only stricter regulations on single-use plastics but also financial investment in waste management infrastructure.
Deep dives
Bali's Waste Management Challenges
Bali faces significant waste management challenges, particularly regarding single-use plastic and organic waste. A large portion of the waste generated comes from tourists, who produce three and a half times more waste than the local population, exacerbating the existing issues. Despite some traditional practices in organic waste processing, many residents are not accustomed to sorting waste, leading to overloaded landfills filled with organic materials. Furthermore, lack of access to waste collection services for a significant portion of the population complicates proper waste disposal, with some resorting to burning plastic waste, contributing to pollution.
