Enviro News Asia, Bali – The Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, has set a target to reduce marine waste by 70 percent by 2025. Various measures will be implemented to achieve this goal, including the gradual elimination of waste disposal through open dumping.
“Open dumping methods have long contributed to waste entering aquatic environments and eventually ending up in the sea,” said Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq during a beach cleanup event at Kedonganan Beach, Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, on Sunday (January 19, 2025).
The minister stated that the initial phase of marine waste reduction would prioritize Bali, as the island is a major recipient of marine waste carried in by ocean currents. Bali, being a leading international tourist destination with the highest number of visitors in the country, is particularly vulnerable to this issue. Furthermore, a Coordinating Team for Marine Waste Management in Bali has been established under Coordinating Ministerial Decree No. 3 of 2025.
“Marine waste is a shared problem, and we must collaborate in addressing it,” said Minister Hanif Faisol during a coastal cleanup campaign held at three locations: Kelan Beach, Kedonganan Beach, and Jimbaran Beach. The event was attended by approximately 8,600 volunteers, including representatives from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the embassies of Denmark, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as UNDP representatives for Indonesia. The cleanup was led by the Commander of Military Region IX/Udayana, with support from the Bali Police Chief and the Bali Provincial Secretary.
Waste management efforts in Bali will focus on two primary areas: coastal waste and waste from rivers, according to the minister. He added that 14 rivers contribute waste to Bali’s coastal areas, with Tukad Mati River and Tukad Badung River being the largest contributors. “We have conducted detailed assessments for these two rivers and hope to extend similar efforts to the other 12 rivers, accompanied by specific strategies to address the problem,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the role of hotels and cafes in contributing 25 percent of the total waste in Bali. As a result, a special meeting will be held with local governments and relevant stakeholders. “In this context, area managers are required to fully manage their waste as mandated by government regulations. Hotels and cafes are only allowed to dispose of residual waste at landfills,” he emphasized.
The government will also continuously evaluate the measures taken by provinces, districts, and cities in addressing waste issues. Bali is expected to become a model for successful marine waste management in Indonesia through a comprehensive approach. “I will continue to monitor and evaluate the steps taken by provinces and districts or cities,” he concluded.
