Tourism Ministry Proposes Assistance for Hotel, Restaurant, and Café Waste Management

The Ministry of Tourism has proposed that the Ministry of Environment provide assistance to managers of hotels, restaurants, and cafés in managing and handling waste. During a coordination meeting between the government and representatives of hotel, restaurant, and café businesses in Denpasar, Bali, on Tuesday, the Ministry of Tourism suggested prioritising the implementation of guidance and education in addressing the waste problem faced by these establishments. The Ministry of Tourism also highlighted the need to harmonise understanding regarding regulations and technical waste management procedures between the central government, local governments, and business actors. According to data from the Ministry of Environment, as of early June 2026, administrative sanctions had been imposed on 298 hotel, restaurant, and café businesses due to waste handling issues. However, 44 business actors were recorded as still not compliant. Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa stated that most hotel, restaurant, and café businesses have attempted to manage their waste independently or in cooperation with third parties. “However, current practices are not yet fully in compliance with Government Regulation Number 81 of 2012, which requires sorting into five types of waste,” she said. According to the regulations, business actors must sort waste into five types, but most can currently only sort waste into three categories: organic waste, inorganic waste, and hazardous and toxic materials. “The constraints are limited space and cost, as well as concerns that sorted waste will be mixed again during the transportation process,” she said. She noted that business actors handling waste independently still face obstacles in channelling the sorted waste. Meanwhile, those using third-party services cannot always cooperate with waste management operators that hold certification and can meet waste management requirements. “Information regarding the importance of certified vendors is also still not widely understood by hospitality business actors, Mr Minister,” Ni Luh Puspa said to the Minister of Environment.