On Wednesday, 20th March 2024, the Badung Environment and Hygiene Service (LHK) dispatched three loader units to Kedonganan Beach to tackle a massive influx of rubbish. Over 100 tons of waste, primarily plastic, had washed ashore from the sea.
A video shared by @garybencheghib depicts Kedonganan Beach overwhelmed by plastic debris, with the sand heavily littered. The footage also captures several dead fish stranded on the shore, being swiftly processed by local fishermen.
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Uploaded on Wednesday, 20th March 2024, the video has garnered over 462,000 views, shedding light on the grim reality of Bali’s beaches. Commenters expressed concern over the environmental impact of such waste, particularly in Bali, an island heavily reliant on tourism and surrounded by the sea.
“Yeah when I found out that that 95% of what I put In my feel less guilty box AKA recycling blue bin ends up being shipped and dumped overseas I became inclined to not put plastic in there anymore. Instead I try to buy at my local bulk bring your own containers place to reduce plastic containers. I heard an environmentalist say want to help stop recycling plastic. Um!”, commented @boutduchemin
“Oh my goodness. I mean no disrespect by this, but how can the residents of Bali stand there on all the rubbish and not be inclined to start cleaning it up!?!?!? I clean up other peoples dog poop when I walk dogs in my neighborhood… so that I leave my streets better than when I found them!”, commented @shannonslovelylocks
“Imagine microplastics in their bellies .. poor fishes. Sooo 😢”, commented @indahkalalo
As of Thursday, 21st March 2024, the Badung Environment and Hygiene Service (LHK) has amassed 50 trucks filled with plastic waste collected from Kedonganan Beach. This recurring phenomenon of waste accumulation has been an annual concern since 2021, closely monitored by the Sungai Watch Indonesia organization, which is dedicated to safeguarding river and ocean cleanliness.
Numerous beaches across Bali, including Kuta Beach, Canggu Beach, Seseh Beach, Pererenan Beach, Batu Belig Beach, Petitenget Beach, Jimbaran Beach, Dreamland Beach, and German Beach, frequently encounter influxes of plastic waste each year.
