The governor of the island, Wayan Koster, has once again made a bold statement – there will be no plastic or other pollution in Bali by 2027. According to him, a sustainable waste management project is being developed at the resort, which will be able to convert waste into energy.
A few days earlier, the Regent of Badung, I Wayan Adi Arnawa, and the Minister of Environment, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, visited the site where the waste collection center (STO) is planned to be built. The site is located in the village of Tuban, not far from Ngurah Rai Airport.
According to the Minister of Environment, the construction is expected to take two years. The facility will not only collect and sort waste but also convert it into energy.
Meanwhile, the Regent of Badung stated that the area currently allocated for the waste center is very limited. Therefore, his party plans to appeal to the central government to expand the space. Once an agreement is reached, construction of a building will begin using the latest technologies to minimize harmful emissions and unpleasant odors.
Governor Koster has also announced a waste management competition among all villages on the island to tackle the garbage problem at the local level. It is expected to take place next year, with details to be announced closer to the date. However, the authorities have already revealed the prize amount for the winner – from 500 million to 1 billion rupiah (approximately 30,000 to 60,000 USD).
“If all villages work effectively, the waste problem in Bali can be solved within two years,” said Wayan Koster.
In total, the new waste management system needs to be implemented in 636 villages and 1,500 hamlets.
To address Bali’s “trash problem,” the governor also plans to involve hoteliers, business owners, and even tourists. For example, he announced new regulations requiring businesses — including hotels, shopping malls, and eateries — to create waste management divisions and handle trash properly. Violators risk losing their permits, while eco-friendly businesses will be offered benefits and privileges.
Tourists, according to the updated set of rules for foreigners, are now prohibited from littering and using single-use plastics.
Waste is indeed a serious problem in Bali, often spoiling the impression of a holiday on the island. Especially during the rainy season, the tides wash ashore everything that has been improperly disposed of.
Local volunteers and government organizations try to clean the beaches promptly, but they are not always able to follow all regulations. And even though the rainy season is fading, small debris still continues to wash ashore.
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