Suwung Landfill Closed in 2026, Bali Threatened by Waste Crisis Risk of 3,800 Tons per Day

JAKARTA - The plan to completely close the Suwung Landfill (TPA) on August 1, 2026 has created a new challenge for the Bali Provincial Government.

The reason is that the Waste to Energy (PSEL) project, which is projected to be a new long-term solution, will be fully operational in 2028.

This condition raises concerns about the potential for a waste management system vacancy during the upcoming two-year transition period.

Bali Governor's Expert Staff and the Kedas Waste Management Based on Source Palemahan (PSBS PADAS) Working Team, Agus Dei Segu said, Bali is currently facing the most crucial phase in the history of handling the region's waste.

According to him, Bali's waste production reaches around 3,800 tons per day, with Denpasar and South Badung being the largest contributors reaching 1,500-1,800 tons per day. Around 60 percent of it is organic waste.

"If this 900 tons is not resolved that day, tomorrow another 900 tons will come. So on," said Agus Dei.

He assessed that the household-based waste management approach was no longer realistic to be implemented in urban areas such as Denpasar and South Badung. Changes in the lifestyle of urban residents make the majority of residents prefer waste transportation services rather than processing their own household waste.

Therefore, local governments are considered to need to accelerate investment in strengthening the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle Waste Treatment Center (TPS3R), especially through the addition of sorting machines and large-capacity organic waste processors.

Currently, Badung has about 41 TPS3R and Denpasar has about 23 units. However, most of these facilities are said to be unable to handle the surge in daily waste volumes.

"If the machine can only process one ton, while the garbage that comes is five tons, yes four tons is still a problem. There is no other way, you have to use the machine," he said.

In addition to reducing waste accumulation, the strengthening of TPS3R is also considered to have the potential to create a new circular economy through large-scale compost production.

In the scheme being discussed, the local government is said to be ready to absorb up to 500 tons of compost per day to support the agricultural sector, greening, and soil quality restoration in Bali.

According to Agus Dei, the downstream scheme is important so that the processing of organic waste does not stop at the sorting stage, but produces new economic value.

He emphasized that the existence of organic processing machines remains relevant even though PSEL will start operating in 2028.

The reason is that the PSEL facility will later be focused on processing certain residues and plastic waste that has been sorted.

Without strengthening the transition system at the TPS3R and TPST levels, the closure of the Suwung landfill is feared to trigger a new waste explosion in Bali before a long-term solution is available.