- Title: Trash piles up on Bali beach as monsoon washes debris ashore
- Date: 11th March 2026
- Summary: BALI, INDONESIA (MARCH 10, 2026) (REUTERS) TRASH SCATTERED ALONG KEDONGANAN BEACH SINGLE-USE PLASTIC TRASH PLASTIC BOTTLE AND OTHER DEBRIS PILES OF TRASH ACCUMULATED ON THE BEACH WAVES PUSHING TRASH ONTO SHORELINE VARIOUS OF 42-YEAR-OLD FISHERMAN ARIFIN WORKING (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) 42-YEAR-OLD FISHERMAN IN KEDONGANAN, ARIFIN, SAYING: "It really disrupts us fisher
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: environment plastic waste pollution trash
- Location: BALI, INDONESIA
- City: BALI, INDONESIA
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Pollution,Environment
- Reuters ID: LVA001288411032026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Mountains of trash washed ashore on Bali’s Kedonganan Beach on Tuesday (March 10), covering the popular coastline with plastic bottles, wood and other debris.
The seasonal phenomenon — driven by ocean currents and monsoon winds — often leaves fishermen struggling to reach the water.
“It really disrupts us fishermen when we want to work. Before heading out to sea, we have to clean up the trash first,” said Arifin, 42, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. He spoke to Reuters as he prepared his equipment for an offshore trip.
He said the waste not only slows their daily routine but also affects their catch.
The trash also spills into tourist areas, where visitors weave between piles of plastic and bamboo. Some still stop to take photos, while others — including fish vendors and anglers — continue their routines amid the debris.
Several holidaymakers say the pollution is already hurting the island’s appeal.
“It's very unfortunate. I suspect it's the tide that's bringing it in, making the rubbish, but it's kind of killing tourism. It's definitely not gonna help it,” said Terry West, a 65‑year‑old tourist from Australia. He said daily clean‑ups help, but he believes longer‑term solutions are needed.
Local authorities routinely deploy cleanup teams, but large waves continue to push fresh piles of waste ashore.
Indonesia has pledged to cut marine plastic waste in the coming years, but for beach communities in Bali, the struggle remains a daily challenge.
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