Jakarta. Bali is grappling with a growing waste problem, with waste sorting and composting emerging as key solutions, experts say. As the face of Indonesian tourism, the island’s mounting waste challenge is becoming increasingly critical, with direct implications for both the industry and environmental sustainability.

Environmentalist Muhammad Bijaksana Junerosano, commonly known as Sano, said the key to addressing Bali’s waste problem lies in strengthening upstream management, particularly through sorting at the source and processing organic waste.

“In Bali, waste sorting is being carried out as much as possible. Given the availability of rice fields and other resources, organic waste can be processed into compost or via black soldier fly (BSF) methods, especially with the presence of livestock, such as pig farms. Only the remaining non-processable waste is then converted into refuse-derived fuel (RDF) or other technical solutions,” Sano said on Monday.

Data from the Bali provincial government show waste generation on the island reached around 1.2 million tons per year in 2024. The highest volumes were recorded in Denpasar at 366,806 tons, followed by Gianyar at 205,129 tons and Badung at 199,810 tons annually.

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Beyond technical solutions, Sano said effective coordination and governance are crucial to ensuring long-term success. He stressed the need for dedicated teams at both provincial and municipal levels to oversee implementation.

“There must be a dedicated team behind the governor and the mayor—one that remains focused, professional, and solution-oriented. Once assigned, they should stay committed and get the job done,” he said.

To tackle the issue, Bali has intensified efforts to promote waste sorting as a primary solution.

Separately, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said public participation in waste sorting in Bali has been relatively high, exceeding 60 percent.

“This momentum must be maintained, as sorting rates have reached 65% and are approaching 70%,” he said.

Hanif also highlighted the importance of enforcement, suggesting minor criminal sanctions for those who fail to sort their waste. While the government plans to develop waste-to-energy facilities, he said waste sorting remains essential to ensure the quality of input materials.