DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – The Denpasar City Government is intensifying efforts to implement source-based waste management across the tourism sector as part of a broader strategy to maintain environmental sustainability and destination quality.
Denpasar Mayor I Gusti Ngurah Jaya Negara emphasized the importance of managing waste at its source during a tourism gathering in Sanur on Saturday (March 28), highlighting the role of tourism businesses in supporting the initiative.
“Tourism stakeholders under PHRI have shown strong enthusiasm in supporting this program, and we highly appreciate that,” he said.
The policy focuses on encouraging hotels, restaurants, and cafes (HORECA) to handle waste directly at the source through sorting and processing, rather than relying solely on disposal at final landfill sites such as Suwung.
Head of Denpasar Tourism Office, Ni Putu Riyastiti, explained that urban tourism development must follow sustainable principles by balancing economic, social, and environmental aspects.
She noted that while tourism drives economic activity, it also generates waste, making proper management essential, particularly in key destinations like Sanur.
“This initiative is not merely due to restrictions at the Suwung landfill, but a strategic step to ensure long-term environmental sustainability,” she said.
Waste management practices in the tourism sector have already been adopted by many large hotels in line with international standards. These include sorting organic waste, hazardous materials (B3), kitchen waste, liquid waste, and food leftovers.
Chair of the Denpasar Regional Tourism Promotion Board, Ida Bagus Gede Sidharta Putra, said hazardous waste is typically handled by licensed third parties, while used cooking oil is no longer disposed of improperly.
Efforts are also being expanded to process organic waste through composting systems, although challenges remain, particularly in areas like Sanur where vegetation contributes to higher volumes of organic waste.
To support the initiative, the city government is optimizing waste processing facilities based on the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle (TPS3R) concept. In Sanur, two TPS3R facilities are being strengthened through collaboration between traditional villages, local enterprises, and tourism businesses.
“This collaboration is expected to absorb processed waste products such as compost, which can also be utilized by hotels, reinforcing Sanur’s position as a green destination,” he explained.
Authorities also highlighted that environmental standards are increasingly considered by travel agencies when evaluating hotels. Failure to meet cleanliness and sustainability standards may impact tourist interest.
The initiative reflects Denpasar’s long-term commitment to sustainable tourism development, with a focus on reducing waste and improving environmental management across the sector.