People in Bali can’t produce bottled water under 1 litre anymore; this is why
People in Bali will soon no longer be allowed to produce bottled water in containers smaller than one litre, under a new policy announced by the island’s governor.
The move is part of a wider effort to curb Bali’s growing waste problem, which has increasingly put pressure on landfills, rivers, and popular tourist beaches.
Governor I Wayan Koster said the ban would take effect in January next year.
He has ordered bottled water companies to stop producing bottles under one litre immediately and to clear remaining stocks before the deadline.
The decision comes amid mounting concern over Bali’s environmental crisis.
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A 2019 study showed the island produces over 1.6 million tonnes of waste each year, with plastic waste making up over 300,000 tonnes.
Nearly half of it is not properly managed, and around 33,000 tonnes leak into rivers and oceans annually.
Officials say plastic water bottles are a major part of the problem, filling already overcrowded landfill sites and clogging waterways during the rainy season.
In recent months, flash floods linked to blocked rivers have damaged homes and tourist areas.
Koster said the new policy aims to protect Bali’s image as a clean and natural destination.
He warned that without urgent environmental action, the island’s tourism industry and economy could suffer.
The central government has backed Bali’s plan, with leaders saying the province could set an example for the rest of Indonesia.
The bottle ban follows earlier rules that banned plastic bags, straws, and Styrofoam across many businesses and institutions.
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Under the new policy, companies that ignore the rules risk losing their permits, while villages that fail to enforce the law may lose government funding.
Authorities are also urging residents and businesses to compost organic waste and recycle non-organic waste to reduce pressure on landfills.
