Bali’s landfill closure highlights systemic waste mismanagement and lack of recycling infrastructure
Original framing: “Residents on Indonesia’s Bali resort to burning trash after landfill ban on organic waste” — South China Morning Post
Scientific studies show that open burning of organic waste releases harmful pollutants such as dioxins and particulate matter, which can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The lack of scientific input in policy design exacerbates public health risks.
Bali’s waste crisis is a systemic failure rooted in inadequate infrastructure, policy misalignment, and cultural neglect.
The landfill closure, while well-intentioned, lacks the complementary systems needed to manage organic waste sustainably. By integrating traditional composting methods, enforcing waste separation, and involving marginalized workers, Bali can transition toward a circular economy. The tourism sector, as a major waste generator, must also be held accountable through financial contributions and behavioral incentives. Cross-cultural insights from countries with successful waste policies, such as Japan, can inform more holistic and culturally resonant solutions. Ultimately, this crisis offers an opportunity to recenter environmental governance around community resilience, equity, and ecological stewardship.