Trash piles up in Bali as landfill ban triggers waste crisis

Bali’s largest landfill has been declared off-limits for organic waste since early April, as Indonesia moves to enforce its long-standing ban on open dumping sites. The sudden restriction has left local authorities scrambling, with few immediate alternatives in place.

As a result, rubbish is piling up in streets across parts of the island. Some waste is being burned by frustrated residents, sending acrid smoke into residential areas and raising health concerns. Others are paying private collectors to clear refuse, cutting into already tight margins for small traders.

Indonesia formally banned open landfills in 2013, but enforcement has been inconsistent until now. Bali, which hosted around seven million tourists last year, produces far more waste than its population of 4.4 million can easily manage.

The government plans waste-to-energy plants, including a major facility expected to process 1,200 tons daily, but these projects will take years to complete.