Waste Management in Indonesia

[pantaiema]

Those who argue that locals simply need more education because they’re supposedly too naive to grasp the environmental consequences of dumping waste into rivers or along roads should take a moment to read this recent post on social media (see attached).

If you’re lucky enough to have a landlord who can afford premium waste collection or invest in a properly filtered household incinerator, keep in mind that many local people don’t have access to those options. Without affordable alternatives, they’re often left with little choice but to dispose of their waste illegally in rivers or by the roadside.

 

[pantaiema]

This is how the Balinese government has handled waste management after ordering the closure of a waste processing centre. They went on to purchase 12 incinerators using the national state budget, rather than regional taxes or the tourist levy that has been collected from international visitors since 2022.

However, after testing, it turned out that these incinerators could not be used straight out of the box because their environmental and public health impacts were deemed unacceptable. Normally, equipment like this would require prior consultation with environmental authorities. But in this case, it seems the approach was “buy first, ask questions later". Ironically, no one has been held accountable for this decision.

 

[jstar]

You can argue whatever you want, but there simply is no education and feeling of responsibility. Yesterday I stepped out of the Mr. DIY and the first thing I see is customers taking something out of the packaging and throwing that plastic on the street.

Did you see the pictures on IG from the plane which show the multiple fumes and smoke on the island? Something like that going viral might help.

Also, in Jimbaran I smell the burned trash all the time now. In Seminyak like twice per day so it seems to be more construction workers before they leave. In Sanur it clearly came from Balinese neighbors. There are reporting possibilities btw, now also online. But if it helps…

 

[snpark]

NusaBali.com on Instagram: "Bau Menyengat!!! Ratusan Truk Sampah Kepung Kantor Gubernur Bali - Kantor PPLH Bali Suasana di Kantor Gubernur Bali – Kantor Pusat Pengendalian Lingkungan Hidup Bali-Nusra, Renon, Kamis (16/4) mendadak dipenuhi bau menyen

4,523 likes, 596 comments - nusabali_com on April 15, 2026: "Bau Menyengat!!! Ratusan Truk Sampah Kepung Kantor Gubernur Bali - Kantor PPLH Bali Suasana di Kantor Gubernur Bali – Kantor Pusat Pengendalian Lingkungan Hidup Bali-Nusra, Renon, Kamis (16/4) mendadak dipenuhi bau menyengat. Sekitar...

www.instagram.com

 

[Balifrog]

They even speak about it in SGP....

Bali residents take to burning rubbish as landfill rules change

Organic waste accounts for about two-thirds of all waste produced in Bali. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

 

[centurion]

NusaBali.com on Instagram: "Bau Menyengat!!! Ratusan Truk Sampah Kepung Kantor Gubernur Bali - Kantor PPLH Bali Suasana di Kantor Gubernur Bali – Kantor Pusat Pengendalian Lingkungan Hidup Bali-Nusra, Renon, Kamis (16/4) mendadak dipenuhi bau menyen

4,523 likes, 596 comments - nusabali_com on April 15, 2026: "Bau Menyengat!!! Ratusan Truk Sampah Kepung Kantor Gubernur Bali - Kantor PPLH Bali Suasana di Kantor Gubernur Bali – Kantor Pusat Pengendalian Lingkungan Hidup Bali-Nusra, Renon, Kamis (16/4) mendadak dipenuhi bau menyengat. Sekitar...

www.instagram.com

I said before, one of the rare cases where army should be put in charge, governor dismissed and administrator installed.

 

[centurion]

They even speak about it in SGP....

Bali residents take to burning rubbish as landfill rules change

Organic waste accounts for about two-thirds of all waste produced in Bali. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

Good news, they often complain about overtourism.

 

[pantaiema]

They even speak about it in SGP....

Bali residents take to burning rubbish as landfill rules change

Organic waste accounts for about two-thirds of all waste produced in Bali. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

Tadaaa
"Organic waste accounts for about two-thirds of all waste produced in Bali.
But with few other disposal options, people have started burning the rubbish, or dumping more of it in rivers or along the roadside."

I’ve been saying this for ages, haven’t I? What kind of education do you really need just to tell people to dispose of their rubbish properly when there’s nowhere available to do so? I’ve even argued that those who dump their waste into roadside rivers are, in a way, acting logically, smart people though that sparked a very strong and angry reaction.

Certainly, those living in the island do not like to see the access road going to their home full of garbage everywhere. But is it not better rather than they burn it in front of your homes. and there is nothing you could do to stop them.

 

[Balifrog]

https://jakartaglobe.id/business/indonesia-expands-wastetopower-push-with-five-new-plants

 

[jstar]

Our garbage collection fee will double as of now. We’re talking the Badung area.

 

[Balifrog]

Our garbage collection fee will double as of now. We’re talking the Badung area.

What kind of amount are we speaking about ?

From....to .... ?

 

[jstar]

Collection 3 times per week (in practice often 2). Mandatory separation between organik and anorganik. Price for one house from 165.000 to 330.000 IDR.

 

[Balifrog]

Collection 3 times per week (in practice often 2). Mandatory separation between organik and anorganik. Price for one house from 165.000 to 330.000 IDR.

Per month, I suppose ?
Bearable for us expats, but very expensive for the lower middle class local.

 

[snpark]

Landfill Closures Cause Trash Chaos Across Bali: Here’s What Tourists Need To Know

Bali’s biggest landfill, the Suwung TPA, stopped receiving organic waste, which receives upwards of 65% of all the waste produced in Bali.

thebalisun.com

 

[Balifrog]

Collection 3 times per week (in practice often 2). Mandatory separation between organik and anorganik. Price for one house from 165.000 to 330.000 IDR.

I just checked with the average in France, nit easy to calculate because depends on tge region and the valuation of your house.
But the consensus is 200 / 250 € per year.
200 : 12 = 16,5 €/ month, i.e. 330.000 Rp / month.

Which makes the prices you mentionned very expensive....

Now, Bali is an island so we should compare it with an island, Corsica for instance.

"In 2024, the average cost of waste management in Corsica reached approximately €320 excluding VAT (€327 including VAT) per inhabitant, an increase. This amount is higher than the national average, influenced by tourism, geography, and treatment costs."

Which gives us 26,5 € / month, i.e. 530.000 Rp. Note the reasons mentionned are the same as here....

Of course pre selective sorting mandatory !