BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment has found that 517 tourism-related businesses in Bali failed to comply with independent waste management regulations during recent inspections across the island.
The findings were announced by Director of Environmental Complaints and Supervision at the Ministry of Environment, Ardyanto Nugroho, during a coordination and evaluation meeting on waste management in Badung Regency on Thursday (May 7, 2026).
According to the ministry, inspections targeted hotels, restaurants, cafés, and catering businesses, commonly referred to as the horeca sector, which authorities say remain major contributors to Bali’s waste problem.
“We conducted inspections on around 517 horeca businesses in Bali, and the result was 100 percent non-compliance in waste management practices,” Ardyanto said.
Authorities warned that businesses failing to follow government recommendations could face administrative sanctions, permit suspension, or criminal penalties.
“Businesses that ignore or fail to follow up on our recommendations could face permit suspension or imprisonment of up to one year,” he added.
The ministry stated that the horeca sector contributes approximately 41 percent of total waste generated in Badung Regency, one of Bali’s busiest tourism regions.
Under Indonesia’s Government Regulation No. 81 of 2012 on Household and Household-Like Waste Management, tourism businesses are required to process and manage their waste independently at their own facilities.
Officials emphasized that waste management responsibilities should not fall solely on local governments, particularly since much of the waste produced by the tourism sector consists of organic material that can be composted or processed into alternative products such as maggot feed.
Meanwhile, Badung Regent I Wayan Adi Arnawa said the regional government plans to tighten monitoring and enforcement within the tourism sector.
“The Badung Regency Government will strengthen supervision and law enforcement. Sanctions will be imposed on businesses that fail to comply,” he said.
Authorities also stressed that organic waste should no longer be sent directly to final disposal sites without prior processing.
At the same event, Bali Governor Wayan Koster stated that waste management conditions on the island have begun to improve following stricter controls implemented ahead of the planned closure of Suwung Landfill.
“There has been very significant progress since strict controls were introduced related to the closure of Suwung Landfill. This progress must be maintained and continuously improved,” Koster said.
The latest enforcement push reflects Bali’s broader efforts to address mounting environmental concerns linked to tourism growth and rising waste production across the island.