Enviro News Asia, Bali — Indonesia’s Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH), Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, led a large-scale marine debris clean-up action along Bali’s coastline as part of the national Indonesia ASRI (Safe, Healthy, Clean, and Beautiful) Movement, reinforcing the government’s commitment to sustainable marine waste management.
The clean-up activities took place on Kelan Beach, Kedonganan Beach, and Jimbaran Beach in Badung Regency on 6 February 2026, following direct instructions from President Prabowo Subianto to strengthen integrated and upstream-to-downstream responses to marine waste pollution.
More than 8,000 participants joined the action, including representatives from central and local governments, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the private sector, tourism stakeholders, environmental communities, students, and volunteers. The operation covered over 3.9 kilometers of coastline, with work zones divided to ensure effective and controlled waste collection.
Minister Hanif stated that marine debris remains a serious challenge, particularly during the west monsoon season, when ocean currents carry waste from surrounding waters to Bali’s shores. He noted that Indonesia is facing a national waste management crisis, with only around 24 percent of the country’s estimated 143,000 tons of daily waste currently managed properly. The situation poses direct risks to environmental health, coastal economies, and Indonesia’s global tourism image.
The clean-up operation resulted in the collection of more than 10 tons of marine waste, which was subsequently sorted and processed according to its type and characteristics.
“The waste handled today is classified as specific waste that does not originate from household activities and requires special treatment. Such waste emerges under particular conditions, including flood events, and must therefore be managed in a more controlled and appropriate manner,” Minister Hanif said during the event.
He further emphasized that under Law No. 18/2008 on Waste Management, the primary authority for waste management lies with regional governments, supported by the central government, the private sector, and active public participation.
KLH/BPLH continues to promote waste reduction and treatment at source through the development of 3R waste facilities (TPS3R), waste banks, integrated waste processing centers, and the adoption of environmentally friendly waste treatment technologies in urban and coastal areas.
During the same event, Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana highlighted the importance of coastal cleanliness in maintaining Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness. She stressed that environmental cleanliness must be sustained beyond one-off events and integrated into daily practices at tourism destinations to foster a lasting culture of cleanliness.
Through the Indonesia ASRI Movement, KLH/BPLH reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration among government institutions, businesses, and communities in addressing marine waste in an integrated and sustainable manner, while preserving Bali as a clean, healthy, and globally competitive tourism destination. (*)
