Transforming Tabanan: CLOCC’s Collaborative Journey to Build a Sustainable Waste Management Future in Bali

Tabanan, located on the island of Bali, Indonesia, is home to nearly 500,000 residents and generates 422 tonnes of waste daily. With its mix of urban and rural communities, Tabanan has faced significant waste management challenges, including the improper handling of 202 tonnes of waste each day, 48% of which leaks into the environment.

In 2022, CLOCC extended its programme into Tabanan to create a sustainable and inclusive waste management system. Working closely with the Indonesian Solid Waste Association (InSWA), the initiative began in April 2022 with stakeholder workshops, bringing together local governments, waste management organizations, and civil society groups to develop a shared vision for change. These workshops laid the foundation for a baseline waste study, conducted in partnership with the Indonesia Solid Waste Association (InSWA) and Udayana University. The study revealed that while 41% of waste comes from households and 59% from non-domestic sources, much of it remains unmanaged. Organic waste dominates the waste stream at 62%, followed by plastic at 19%, with the remainder being residue and other materials.

In parallel with the development of a Waste Masterplan, pilot projects were launched in the villages of Bengkel, Dauh Peken, and Wongaya Gede. These projects, led by Go Circular Indonesia, focused on engaging communities through education, behavioural change initiatives, and empowering residents to take ownership of waste management efforts. To ensure sustainability, CLOCC worked closely with village governments to optimize local recovery facilities, known as TPS3Rs, which had previously been underutilized. Technical support was provided to improve governance, including regulatory frameworks and village budgets, ensuring these systems could operate effectively in the long term.

On December 3, 2024, CLOCC officially handed over the Tabanan Waste Masterplan, a comprehensive framework for transforming the regency's waste management system. This plan emphasizes inclusive policymaking, stronger local ownership, and the integration of the entire waste and recycling value chain, including informal sector participation. The overarching vision is to achieve 100% waste collection and a recycling rate of 36% by 2045 while creating thousands of local jobs.

Through this collaborative approach, CLOCC is empowering the residents of Tabanan to take control of their waste systems and drive a cleaner, more sustainable future for their community.