Bali’s rubbish crisis

Bali is facing a worsening rubbish crisis, with landfill restrictions causing garbage to pile up, on an island already infamous for plastic-strewn beaches. As the main landfill site tightens rules on organic waste, local communities are left scrambling for alternatives, and in some cases, resorting to burning rubbish.Indonesia’s president has even weighed in, criticising the island’s cleanliness and calling for urgent action. So can Bali fix its rubbish problem or is the damage already done?In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to Bali-based journalist Ade Mardiyati and environmental campaigner Gary Bencheghib of Sungai Watch about what’s really driving Bali’s waste crisis, how waste is currently managed, why enforcement of plastic bans is uneven, and whether overtourism is overwhelming the island’s infrastructure.Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people.Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVtGet in touch: [email protected] 18 May 2026: During the discussion in this program, a guest recounted a comment from a local government official in Batang regency, Central Java, saying that some funds the regency previously allocated for waste management had been redirected to the national government’s free nutritional meals program. A spokesperson for Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency BGN says the free nutritional meals policy is part of a national government budget and says it does not instruct regional governments to reduce waste management allocations in support of the programme. "Budgeting priorities and fiscal decisions at the regional level remain under the authority of the respective local governments and relevant ministries overseeing regional administration and public finance,”, the BGN spokeswoman said.