Buleleng Studies Source-Based Waste Pilot in Housing Areas
Buleleng’s Environment Agency is assessing a pilot project to manage household waste at source inside housing areas, aiming to cut unsorted loads sent to the Bengkala final processing site.
By Pandi Muktar
Editor: Mursyid Sonsang
· 4 min read
Singaraja — — Buleleng’s Environment Agency is studying a pilot scheme to manage household waste at source in residential areas, with the goal of cutting the amount of unsorted waste transported to the Bengkala final processing site, according to local media and official statements.
The idea emerged after residents asked for designated waste-management points inside housing complexes, and the agency has indicated any pilot would start in one housing area that has a suitable site and enough waste-management staff.
As of mid-September 2026, the agency had not publicly named participating neighbourhoods, set a launch date or detailed the capacity of any planned facility.
Residential-level pilot under review
Made Agus Suardana, head of the division for waste and hazardous and toxic waste (PSLB3) at the Environment Agency, said his office is examining whether a pilot project can be carried out in a housing area that meets basic requirements.
According to Suardana, those requirements include an appropriate location inside the housing area and sufficient personnel to operate the site.
He said the agency would deepen its study of the proposal and, if successful, consider extending the approach to other residential areas so more waste can be handled close to where it is generated.
The pilot under discussion would complement ongoing efforts to strengthen source-based waste management and reduce dependence on the Bengkala facility, which is under pressure to end open dumping and move to safer disposal methods.
Source-based management and sorting
Buleleng’s push for residential waste-management points is part of a broader programme to implement pengelolaan sampah berbasis sumber, or source-based waste management, in line with Bali’s 2019 gubernatorial regulation and national requirements.
This approach requires waste to be managed as close as possible to its point of origin, such as households and villages, to reduce volumes reaching final disposal sites.
The Environment Agency has repeatedly urged residents to separate their waste before putting it out for collection, typically into organic, inorganic and residual categories, and to use existing collection points and transfer depots as directed.
In earlier outreach, the agency and district government have linked household-level sorting to scheduled disposal windows and a system of odd–even days for organic and inorganic/residual waste deliveries to transfer depots.
Officials argue that consistent sorting and compliance with disposal schedules are necessary conditions for any localised management point in housing areas to work effectively.
Institutional and regulatory context
Buleleng’s efforts to redesign waste handling follow an environment ministry decision requiring the district to stop open dumping at Bengkala by 31 July 2026 and to strengthen waste reduction and treatment at source.
The ministry’s monitoring in late 2025 led to orders for the district to plan the end of open dumping, develop sanitary landfill capacity or relocate the site, manage leachate and gas, and improve environmental safeguards.
In response, the Environment Agency has stepped up monitoring, coordination and public education, with Suardana and his team conducting field visits that emphasise household sorting and cleaner neighbourhoods.
Provincial regulations also require local governments and waste generators, including households and housing estates, to manage their waste directly wherever possible, reinforcing the district’s intent to move more processing into communities.
Officials have framed the proposed residential pilot as one element in meeting these obligations, though detailed designs for facilities, funding and enforcement have not yet been publicly specified.
The agency has stressed that successful waste management cannot rely solely on government workers and will depend on cooperation between residents, community organisations and public institutions to ensure that sorting and source-level handling become routine practice.
Sources
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