BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR — Hundreds of garbage trucks and pickup vehicles operated by independent waste collectors staged a protest at the Environmental Control Center (PPLH) Bali-Nusra office in Renon, Denpasar, on Thursday (April 16, 2026).

The demonstration, organized by the Bali Waste Self-Management Communication Forum (Forkom SSB), was a response to the new restrictions on waste disposal at the Suwung Landfill (TPA Suwung), which have been in effect since April 1, 2026.

Action coordinator I Wayan Suarta said the policy has placed a heavy burden on waste transporters who have been trying to comply with regulations, particularly in sorting waste.

“Since April 1 until today, what we are facing is a limitation at Suwung Landfill. Only residual and inorganic waste are being accepted. Meanwhile, we have followed instructions to sort waste into organic, non-organic, and residual categories,” Suarta told protesters during the rally.

He explained that waste sorting has been carried out from the community level to transporters, requiring significant time and effort. However, in practice, entire truckloads are often rejected simply because a small portion does not meet the criteria.

“Our colleagues spend hours sorting waste. But when there is even a small amount that doesn’t meet the requirements, an entire truck can be turned away. That’s the problem,” he stressed.

According to Suarta, rejections should only apply to non-compliant portions of waste, not entire loads. He warned that the current system risks causing financial losses for transporters and could lead to waste piling up in communities.

During the protest, Forkom SSB delivered three main demands. First, they urged authorities to keep Suwung Landfill fully operational without restrictions while awaiting the revitalization and operation of the Waste-to-Energy (PSEL) facility.

Second, they called on the President of the Republic of Indonesia to directly intervene in resolving Bali’s waste management issues.

Third, the transporters threatened to halt waste collection services if their demands are not met.

“If our demands are not fulfilled, we will stop collecting waste,” Suarta concluded.