Denpasar Residents Increasingly Diligent in Sorting Waste, But Confused Where to Take It
Waste sorting is currently being intensified in Bali following restrictions at the Suwung Final Waste Processing Site (TPA) in Denpasar. Education is one of the key elements in encouraging changes in public behaviour. At present, more residents are becoming aware of sorting waste. Unfortunately, the lack of a supportive system leaves them confused about where to take their sorted waste.
Julianti, a waste sorting educator, stated that educational efforts are continuously carried out in the community, although there are limitations in reaching all segments of society.
“If it’s about education, there are definitely always challenges. I mean, sometimes we don’t always have the capacity to gather everyone or have people who can provide the education,” she said during a waste sorting education event held by Re-Feel Bulkstore in Renon, Denpasar, on Saturday (25/4/2025).
According to her, one of the most efficient ways to spread education is through community channels such as banjar and villages.
“Actually, the most efficient way is through this, for example via banjar, via villages providing information. They already have their own channels, like Village WhatsApp groups, Banjar WhatsApp groups,” she said.
Julianti assessed that there are still many factors influencing why the public has not yet sorted waste, ranging from lack of knowledge, limited facilities, to an unsupported collection system.
“It might be because they don’t have the knowledge yet, they’re still confused and don’t know. It could be due to facility factors; they don’t have separate bins, or even the collection is still mixed,” she explained.
Julianti added that motivation is also a barrier. The public’s willingness to sort waste decreases because they perceive the process as taking more time.
“Or simply a motivation factor sometimes. Or they say, ‘Oh, we don’t have time to sort,’ even though sorting takes the same time,” she added.
Meanwhile, Ayu Winastri, owner of Re-Feel Bulk Store, views waste sorting as a highly relevant issue in Bali at present. She is also collaborating with educators to raise public awareness.
She admitted that concern over the waste conditions in the surrounding environment is one of the reasons for her involvement. “Actually, it’s more out of worry, like every road we pass has a lot of waste, not collected like that. Sometimes I see it’s mixed,” she said.
The educational activities she conducts initially targeted residents around her business premises. However, enthusiasm from the public has come from various areas.
From this activity, she hopes that the public can better understand waste sorting methods and begin changing their lifestyles to avoid adding to the amount of waste, especially household waste.
“My hope is more towards us all understanding sorting waste. Secondly, perhaps the public’s lifestyle can shift from regular shopping methods to refill shopping, without bringing more waste,” she hoped.