The Truth About Bali Trash Problem - And How You Can Help

Bali Gate Tours

23 May 2025

Blog & Article

Let’s be honest: when people picture Bali, they think of turquoise waves, rice terraces, flower offerings, and spiritual calm. And yes, those things exist. But so does something a little less postcard-perfect—Bali’s trash problem.

It’s not always in the guidebooks. It’s not the image on your resort’s Instagram. But it’s there. Piles of plastic near rivers. Smoke rising from burning waste in villages. Bottles and wrappers swept onto beaches after a storm.

And yet, this isn’t a story about blame. It’s about understanding, responsibility, and potential. Because as a visitor, you’re not helpless. In fact, you’re part of the equation. And you can help shift it in the right direction.

So let’s dig in—with open eyes and open hearts.

Where Does the Trash Come From?

The problem is both simple and complicated.

Bali’s trash crisis comes from a mix of fast development, population growth, poor infrastructure, and tourism. The island wasn’t designed to handle millions of visitors and tons of plastic-wrapped convenience.

Here’s what’s really happening:

Most waste in Bali isn’t formally collected. In rural areas, families often burn trash or dump it into rivers.
Only around 50% of Bali’s waste ends up in landfills, many of which are overwhelmed and mismanaged.
Plastic packaging and single-use items—often introduced through tourism—have flooded the system.
Many locals grew up using banana leaves and bamboo, which decompose. Now they’re handed Styrofoam and plastic with no education or system to dispose of it properly.

So yes, the trash in Bali is visible. But it’s not just a Balinese problem—it’s a global one, intensified by consumption and the island’s popularity.

How It Impacts the Island—Beyond Just What You See

When you see a pile of rubbish on a beach, it’s easy to think it’s just unsightly. But the impact runs deeper.

Plastic pollution in Bali affects:

Rivers and irrigation systems—blocked waterways lead to flooding and crop issues.
Marine life—sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish; coral reefs suffer from microplastics.
Human health—burning trash releases toxic dioxins into the air and soil.
Local pride—Balinese culture is rooted in harmony with nature (Tri Hita Karana). The trash crisis creates emotional and spiritual distress.

This isn’t about dirt. It’s about dignity, health, and cultural identity.

What’s Being Done—And Why It’s Not Enough (Yet)

It would be unfair to say Bali is doing nothing. In fact, many grassroots and governmental efforts have stepped in.

Some of the most notable include:

Bye Bye Plastic Bags, founded by local sisters Melati and Isabel Wijsen, who sparked a youth-led movement to ban plastic bags in Bali.
Sungai Watch, focused on river cleanups and trash barriers, founded by the team behind Make A Change World.
EcoBali, a waste management company that partners with hotels, villas, and homes to provide proper recycling in Bali.
Village-based education programs that teach composting and plastic sorting.

There have been wins: plastic bags were officially banned in 2019. But enforcement is weak. Tourists still bring waste. Systems are uneven. And real change? It’s slow.

Which is where you come in.

How You, As a Traveler, Can Make a Real Difference

You don’t have to join a protest or pick up trash daily (though you can). Sometimes, change starts with tiny conscious choices. And when thousands of travelers make them? The ripple is real.

1. Refuse Single-Use Plastic

It starts here. Always say no to:

Plastic straws (bring your own or go straw-free)
Styrofoam takeout boxes (opt for dine-in or bring a container)
Free bottled water (refill instead)

Many cafés and hostels now offer refill stations. Apps like RefillMyBottle help you find them.

You can also carry:

A reusable water bottle
A foldable shopping bag
A bamboo cutlery set

You might not save the world with one refusal—but you’re changing the norm.

2. Choose Where You Stay and Eat Wisely

Support hotels, villas, and restaurants that:

Work with EcoBali or other waste partners
Compost food scraps
Ban single-use plastics
Empower staff with sustainability training

Ask them—“What do you do with your trash?” A good place will be proud to tell you.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about rewarding responsibility with your money.

3. Join or Support Local Clean-Up Efforts

Even if just once during your trip, spend a morning with:

Trash Hero Bali (weekly community cleanups)
Sungai Watch (river cleanups and data collection)
Bye Bye Plastic Bags (youth campaigns and education)

Or if you prefer quiet impact, bring a bag on your beach walk and pick up what you see. Locals will notice. You might even inspire someone else.

The most powerful activism? Often, it’s what you do when no one is looking.

4. Be Gentle With Judgment

Yes, you might see locals throwing trash in rivers. Yes, it might frustrate you. But remember: most aren’t doing it out of ignorance. They’ve been failed by systems, overwhelmed by change, and taught no alternative.

Approach these moments with empathy, not arrogance. Ask questions. Learn before you preach.

Because nothing grows from shame. But much grows from shared stories.

What About the Trash You Don’t See?

Some of the worst pollution isn’t visible.

Many luxury resorts and restaurants in Bali quietly dump waste illegally—into rivers, fields, or paying off unregulated collectors.

This means:

That sleek beachfront café? It might be sending waste right into the sea.
That five-star villa? It might burn its garbage at night to avoid fees.

Transparency matters.

Support businesses that talk openly about responsible waste management in Bali. Ask to see their process. And if they don’t have one? Consider taking your money elsewhere.

Rethinking Convenience—And Slowing Down

Part of the problem is how fast we want everything.

Grab a juice. Order takeaway. Shop fast. Move fast. Leave the trash behind.

But in Balinese culture, slowness isn’t weakness—it’s presence. Tri Hita Karana, the island’s philosophy, speaks of harmony between people, nature, and spirit.

You can live it by:

Sitting down instead of taking away.
Choosing local snacks wrapped in banana leaf, not imported goods in plastic.
Being okay with “inconvenience” if it means doing better.

It’s not about being a perfect eco-warrior. It’s about slowing enough to ask: What does this action leave behind?

Plastic-Free Doesn’t Mean Experience-Free

There’s a myth that being sustainable in Bali means sacrifice.

In truth, the opposite is often true.

The coconut you drink from a street vendor? Zero waste.
The warung that wraps your food in banana leaf? Greener and tastier.
The village experience where you learn how locals compost and craft? Far more memorable than another beach club.

Helping with Bali’s trash problem doesn’t limit your trip—it enriches it.