Bali is experiencing a severe waste crisis following the closure of the Suwug landfill to organic materials [1].
The situation threatens the public health and image of the Indonesian island, as the lack of disposal options forces waste into public spaces.
The crisis began on April 1, 2024 [1]. Since that date, the Suwug landfill stopped accepting organic waste, creating a critical gap in the region's waste collection infrastructure [1]. Without a designated site for organic materials, trash has begun piling up in the streets [1].
Local authorities and residents are struggling to manage the overflow. The accumulation of waste has attracted rats to residential and commercial areas [1]. In response to the growing piles of refuse, some residents have resorted to burning the trash to clear their surroundings [1].
This failure in waste management has tarnished the image of the tourist destination [2]. The inability to process organic matter has triggered a chain reaction, where the absence of a single disposal stream leads to widespread environmental degradation across the island [1], [2].
Local officials have not yet provided a permanent alternative for organic waste processing to replace the capacity lost at Suwug [1]. Until a new system is established, the cycle of accumulation and illegal burning continues to pose risks to the local ecosystem and air quality [1].
“Bali is experiencing a severe waste crisis following the closure of the Suwug landfill to organic materials.”
The crisis in Bali highlights the fragility of waste management systems that rely on single-point disposal sites. When a primary landfill restricts specific waste streams—such as organic matter—without an existing composting or diversion infrastructure, the result is often a total system collapse. This shift from managed disposal to street accumulation and open burning increases public health risks and underscores the urgent need for decentralized waste processing in high-tourism regions.
