Urgently cleaned-up beach: Over 55,000 pounds of debris removed in under six days off the coast of Bali
In the heart of Southeast Asia, the idyllic island of Bali is battling a hidden crisis - severe plastic pollution. Picturesque beaches, once a haven for tourists, are now plagued by debris such as straws, cups, and plastic bags. But Bali is not standing idly by. The island is taking bold steps to combat this environmental disaster and promote sustainable waste management.
The monsoon season significantly contributes to the plastic pollution crisis, with rains carrying waste from Java onto Bali's southern shores from November to February. However, Bali is determined to turn the tide.
Key initiatives and policies:
One of the most significant moves is the planned ban on the production of small plastic packaging, specifically plastic sachets, starting in 2026. This follows an earlier ban on bottled water in containers smaller than 1 liter. The aim is to reduce plastic waste that is notoriously difficult to recycle and heavily pollutes the environment.
Another initiative is the Destination Zero Waste Bali program, launched in May 2025. This program targets hotels and resorts, critical contributors to single-use plastic pollution due to tourism, which accounts for about 70% of Bali’s economy. The program pilots practical reduction strategies for single-use plastics in collaboration with five pioneering hotels.
Bali is also positioned as a national pilot province for waste management reform, building on United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) frameworks. The provincial government supports these initiatives, working to cut plastic bottled beverages and other plastic waste systematically.
These efforts reflect Bali’s broader goal to maintain a clean and green environment for future generations by addressing major plastic pollution sources both through regulations and collaborative industry actions. The bans, combined with pilot programs in tourism, align with global sustainable tourism and waste management goals, emphasizing plastic reduction at the source.
Bali has also introduced measures to address its environmental issues, including a tourist tax aimed at funding cultural and environmental preservation initiatives. The cleanup efforts are urgent due to the tidal patterns in Bali, and the accumulation of waste reaches alarming levels during certain seasons. In just six days, a community of volunteers managed to collect an astounding 55,000 pounds of trash. An estimated 66 million pounds of plastic enter Bali's rivers each year, underscoring the urgency for continued action and innovation in waste management strategies.
Increased awareness among tourists about the plastic pollution crisis in Bali may lead to reduced single-use plastics usage and more diligent recycling practices. The plastic pollution crisis in Bali is severe, with an estimated 198,000 pounds of waste accumulating daily. But with these initiatives and the support of the community, Bali is hopeful that it can overcome this crisis and restore its pristine beaches for generations to come.
- Bali is working towards a cleaner environment by implementing policies such as the planned ban on the production of small plastic packaging and the Destination Zero Waste Bali program, which targets hotels and resorts to reduce single-use plastic pollution.
- The provincial government of Bali is collaborating with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to reform waste management and reduce plastic bottled beverages and other plastic waste systematically.
- To address the urgent plastic pollution crisis, Bali has introduced measures like a tourist tax to fund cultural and environmental preservation initiatives, and cleanup efforts have seen a community of volunteers collect an astounding 55,000 pounds of trash in just six days.
- With continued efforts in innovation, regulations, and industry actions, Bali is hopeful that it can overcome its severe plastic pollution crisis and restore its pristine beaches, emphasizing the importance of sustainable living and waste management in the heart of Southeast Asia.
