Reducing Plastic Waste While Traveling in Bali

Arriving in Bali with my luggage included flip-flops, snorkel gear, a swim shirt and a stainless steel reusable water bottle. Why the bottle? Because this trip wasn’t just about relaxing under palm trees: I’d come to explore how visitors like me can genuinely help keep this island beautiful. It’s no secret that Bali has been fighting plastic waste for years, since the 2019 ban on single-use plastics and beyond. But as I discovered over the next week, the challenge and the opportunity for travelers are still very real.

Why Plastic Matters in Bali

Bali’s beaches and mountains are its calling card: turquoise surf, powder-white sand, lush green hills. Yet behind the postcard is a serious problem. According to recent reports, Bali produced around 1.2 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2024. And while the island has made important policy moves, such as banning plastic bottles under 1 litre for government offices and schools, the reality on the ground still demands individual action.I found myself thinking: if I’m going to enjoy Bali’s natural beauty, I owe it a little more than sunbathing and cocktails. Here’s how I tried to do my part and how you can too.

Pack Smart — Bring a Reusable Bottle & Shopping Bag

On day one I wandered through Seminyak’s morning market. Vendors offered iced coconut water in plastic cups, fruit juices in single-use bottles. I politely declined and pulled out my reusable bottle. It felt good. Locals and fellow tourists nodded approvingly.

Why this small habit matters:

• Every plastic bottle you skip means one less unit in the waste stream and in Bali’s case, plastic waste still regularly washes ashore or ends up in rivers.
• Bringing your own bag or bottle signals to local businesses that you care, which helps build shift in demand.

Tip: Many cafés and beach clubs now have free water fill-stations, just ask for a “refill”. Apps like RefillMyBottle or checking Google Maps for “water refill station Bali” can be a smart move.

Use Refill Stations & Skip Single-Use Packaging

On day two I took a side trip to the quieter Sanur beach. I located a refill station by checking the RefillMyBottle app. I filled up, then sat beneath a palm tree and watched families paddle in the shallow lagoon.

I noticed how many takeaway coffee cups and snack packs were being used, and that many of them ended up scattered under sun loungers or near waste bins overflowing with plastic.

Bali’s new policies make it easier for us:

• From April 2025, a circular letter (CL 9/2025) prohibits the distribution of single-use plastic bottles under 1 litre, food-grade plastic cups etc in schools, traditional villages, businesses.
• From 2026, production of small plastic packaging (sachets, small cups) is set to be banned.

As a traveler you might not notice the regulation directly, but you can support it by:

• Saying no to takeaway packaged snacks when possible.
• Choosing cafés or restaurants that use glass, metal, or compostable packaging.
• Re-using containers you already brought (e.g., store your extra nuts or trail mix in a zip-bag you bring along).

Join a Beach Clean-Up

Mid-week I headed to the coast of Canggu where a Sunday beach clean-up was posted in a WhatsApp travel group. The event was organised by a local NGO and set for Sunday, 19 October 2025 on Batu Bolong Beach, starting 4:30 pm. They provided gloves and bags; I just showed up with sunblock and enthusiasm. We walked 2 km of shoreline picking up plastic bottles, snorkel masks with broken straps (they were discarded), small plastic sachets, even a fishing net tangled in seaweed. What struck me: it wasn’t just tourists dropping trash, many items had washed in from the sea, or from inland rivers.

Participating like this does three things:

• It removes actual waste from the environment.
• It builds connection with the local community (we ended with iced tea and chat from a local recycling initiative).
• It raises your awareness for the rest of the trip. I found myself less tolerant of small convenience-plastics after that morning.

If you’re in Bali in 2026, watch for clean-ups announced via Instagram pages of Bali waste NGOs (e.g., Sungai Watch) or ask your hotel concierge. They’re increasingly common, particularly ahead of peak monsoon season when tides of plastic can wash up.

Travel Smart — Connect Without Chaos

Here’s where our sponsor comes in: when I travel I rely on my digital connection to look up local refill stations, check clean-up event times, message local groups. That’s why I use ORA eSIM that lets me stay connected from the moment I touch down. No hunting for a local SIM, no dodgy WiFi signals, just reliable data so I can look up “water refill Bali”, “beach clean up Bali”, or even find rides and directions without needing to buy a separate SIM card.

Why this matters: being connected empowers you to choose eco-friendly options, coordinate with groups, and act in real time. Whether you’re in Ubud, Sanur, or along the surf-town coastline, having data on hand means making better choices.

On my final evening I walked up to the ridge overlooking the east coast at sunset. Pouring a glass of water from my reusable bottle, I watched the waves. I thought back to my market morning, my fill-station stop, that beach clean-up morning. Each small action added up. Bali is making the policy changes, from banning small packages to tackling river and beach waste by 2026. But the traveller’s role is huge. The island works because millions of people choose to visit; the flip side is that millions of people’s habits leave footprints, the good kind and the not-so-good.

So if you’re heading to Bali, bring your reusable gear, use refill stations, pick eco-friendly cafés, join a clean-up, stay connected with an ORA eSIM so you can plug into local solutions and you’ll help keep those beaches, waves, and rice terraces just as joyful for the next person.

FAQs

Do I really need to bring a reusable bottle to Bali?
Yes! While many hotels and resorts now have water stations, single-use plastic bottles are still common in many smaller cafés, market stalls and beach vendors. Bringing your own bottle helps significantly.

Are refill stations common in Bali?
Yes, especially in tourist zones like Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud, Sanur. You can find them via apps like RefillMyBottle or by asking staff at cafés.

Can I join a beach clean-up as a tourist?
Absolutely! Many local NGOs organise monthly or seasonal clean-ups. For example, a Canggu clean-up is scheduled for Sunday 12 March 2026. Just bring gloves and sun protection — they’ll provide bags and instructions.

How does Bali’s plastic ban affect me as a traveller?
The provincial government is banning plastic bottles under 1 litre (effective 2026) and from 2026 banning production of plastic sachets/small packaging. While you as a tourist aren’t being penalised, you’ll find fewer options for single-use plastics, a great reason to prepare ahead.

Why mention an eSIM like ORA?
Because staying connected is key. Whether you’re searching for a refill point, messaging a clean-up organiser, or checking directions after a beach event, having reliable mobile data from the start helps you act more sustainably. ORA eSIM enables that without the hassle of local SIM cards.