Viral Rubbish Piles in Tabanan Finally Cleared
Rubbish piles along several roads in Tabanan Town, which had gone viral, are finally being cleared. Previously, organic and mixed waste had accumulated along the main roads for several days, tarnishing the town’s aesthetics.
On Tuesday (5/5/2026), the Tabanan Regency Government deployed hundreds of civil servants (ASN) along with TNI and Polri personnel to carry out a cleaning action as well as waste sorting at 19 sites in the town area.
Acting Head of the Tabanan Environmental Agency (DLH), I Gusti Agung Rai Dwipayana, stated that the involvement of various parties also serves as direct education for the community.
“This afternoon, we are carrying out a cleaning action along with waste sorting at 19 sites involving ASN, TNI, Polri, village heads, and youth organisations. This is part of the education and strengthening of the implementation of the Circular Letter,” said Rai Dwipayana.
In the action, waste was sorted into three categories: organic, inorganic, and residual. Organic waste is directed to compost houses, inorganic waste is managed through TPS3R facilities, while residual waste is still transported to the Mandung landfill.
Monitoring of the 19 waste sorting sites will continue periodically as material for future evaluation. At the same time, it ensures the effectiveness of the source-based waste management policy in Tabanan Regency.
According to Rai Dwipayana, this restriction policy is deliberately enforced strictly to encourage changes in public behaviour. Even the rubbish pile-up that occurred at several points is said to be part of shock therapy.
“The point is, if it’s not sorted, we won’t collect it. This is indeed for deterrent effect as well as learning,” he emphasised.
To support this activity, TNI and Polri also assisted in providing waste transport vehicles. In addition, intensive coordination has been carried out with the Regent, sub-district heads, and village officials to map area-based waste handling.
From preliminary evaluations since the Circular Letter was issued, it shows that most of the community is not yet accustomed to sorting waste at the source. On the other hand, the existence of TPS3R and waste banks is also not yet operating optimally.
High operational costs are one of the obstacles, even reaching Rp 200 million per village per year, while the economic value is not yet commensurate.
“The fact on the ground is that not all TPS3R are active. This is a serious challenge because operations must continue, while economic support is not yet maximal,” he concluded.
Previously, the Deputy Regent of Tabanan, I Made Dirga, emphasised that uncollected waste is due to lack of sorting. If the community has sorted and only leaves residual waste, the waste will definitely be collected by DLH Tabanan trucks.
This is in accordance with the Circular Letter (SE) issued by the Regent of Tabanan regarding source-based waste management. In addition, in the SE, only residual waste is collected and disposed of at the Mandung landfill.
“The SE has been socialised. Let’s sort waste. This must be done together. If it’s sorted and only residual, it will definitely be collected,” Dirga stressed.
Dirga again reminded the importance of collective community awareness in sorting waste. According to him, this policy cannot run without the active role of all parties.
“It can’t be done alone, it must be together. Let’s start sorting waste gradually,” Dirga urged.