Bali’s waste burn is filling Canggu with smoke

Bali’s Suwung landfill stopped taking organic waste on April 1 and that change is pushing some residents to burn trash openly, according to local reports. The site, the island’s largest landfill, now accepts only inorganic and residual waste, with a full closure set for Aug. 1.

Open burning is sending smoke and plastic odors across parts of Bali, including Canggu and air monitors have shown unhealthy readings in some areas. The smoke can carry PM2.5 and toxins from burning plastics, which are linked to respiratory problems and longer-term health risks, reports said.

Canggu nomads are feeling the fallout

Digital nomads, expats and tourists in Bali’s beach towns are dealing with hazy skies, foul smells and harder outdoor workdays. Reports also cited coughs in children and growing concern for toddlers, older adults and people with asthma or other breathing issues.

The strain isn’t limited to Canggu. Trash piles have also been reported in tourist areas such as Kuta, while waste truckers protested the limits by dumping hundreds of trucks of organics at government offices before authorities eased the rules.

What residents and visitors can do now

Officials say residents must sort waste at the source, compost organics, recycle what they can and send only residual trash to landfill. The current setup still leaves a gap: no large-scale alternative is fully ready before the Aug. 1 closure.

For travelers and remote workers, that means checking local air quality before planning outdoor work or long beach days. If smoke is heavy, staying indoors and following local health guidance makes sense, while nomad news will keep tracking the situation. Read our full Indonesia guide for the complete picture.