BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR – Bali Governor Wayan Koster has set a firm deadline for ending the disposal of organic waste at the Suwung Final Disposal Site (TPA Suwung), as part of stronger measures to tackle Bali’s mounting waste problem.

Koster emphasized that concrete actions must be taken immediately by both local governments and the community to address the waste issue, which has become a serious concern for the island.

As a world-renowned tourism destination, Bali can no longer delay improvements to its waste management system. For that reason, Koster urged all parties to accelerate the implementation of source-based waste management.

The first step, he said, is conducting massive public outreach to educate residents about sorting and managing waste at the source.

Second, households are required to separate their waste from the beginning.

Third, the provincial government has set a strict deadline regarding waste deliveries to the Suwung landfill.

“We are giving a deadline until March 31. After March 31, organic waste is no longer allowed to be transported to TPA Suwung. Starting July 31, only residual waste will be allowed,” Koster said while addressing village heads and urban ward leaders across Denpasar at Sewaka Dharma Building on Monday (March 9, 2026).

He also stressed that mixed waste will only be tolerated until March 31, 2026.

“Mixed waste is only allowed until March 31. Like it or not, it must be implemented. There is no turning back. March 31 is the final deadline,” he said.

Koster further revealed that the management of TPA Suwung is currently under investigation by law enforcement authorities. Several officials related to the landfill have already been questioned as part of the investigation.

“It has entered the investigation stage. The head of the agency has been summoned, and officials from Badung have also been questioned,” he said.

Because of this, he urged all regional government ranks to accelerate concrete measures to reduce the volume of waste entering the Suwung landfill.

According to Koster, local governments still have about three weeks to demonstrate a gradual reduction in waste volume.

“Today is March 9, so we have about 22 days—let’s say 21 days. The regional secretary must lead this effort. If today the waste at TPA Suwung is a certain number of tons, next week it must decrease, until by March 31 organic waste no longer goes to Suwung,” he explained.

Koster stressed that the effort must be carried out collectively by all elements of the regional government down to the village level. He also instructed all regional apparatus organizations in Denpasar to directly assist villages and urban wards in accelerating the implementation of source-based waste management. (FF)