Trash piles up in Bali as landfill ban triggers waste crisis

Bali's largest landfill has been closed to organic waste since early April as Indonesia enforces its ban on open dumping sites.

This sudden restriction has led to rubbish accumulating in streets across the island.

Local authorities are struggling to manage the waste buildup, with few immediate alternatives available.

Some residents have resorted to burning waste, causing smoke and raising health concerns.

The waste crisis is disrupting daily life and impacting small traders who are paying private collectors to remove refuse, increasing their costs.

Indonesia banned open landfills in 2013, but enforcement has been inconsistent until now.

Bali's population of 4.4 million, combined with around seven million tourists last year, generates more waste than current infrastructure can handle.

The government has plans to build waste-to-energy plants, including a major facility expected to process 1,200 tons daily.

However, these waste-to-energy projects are still years away from completion, leaving the island with limited options in the short term.

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