Bali Deploys Innovative Robots to Combat Growing Beach Waste Crisis
Jakarta, August 24, 2025 – Bali, Indonesia’s world-renowned island famed for its stunning white-sand beaches, clear waters, lush rice fields, and rich cultural heritage, is facing an environmental challenge that threatens its appeal to international tourists: a persistent beach waste crisis. Particularly during the months from October to March, Bali’s popular coastal areas such as Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, and Jimbaran experience significant pollution due to plastic debris, trash, and natural litter brought in by strong winds, high tides, and heavy rainfall.
Waste Crisis Impacting Tourism and Local Environment
The accumulation of waste along Bali’s shores has become a growing concern for both the local community and visitors, with many tourists expressing discomfort over the sight and smell of garbage littering the famed beaches. This influx of coastal debris detracts from the natural beauty that Bali is known for, potentially affecting tourism revenue and the island’s ecological health.
Robotic Solution: “Bebot” Takes on Beach Cleaning
In response to the escalating waste problem, the Badung Regency Government has introduced a cutting-edge approach by deploying trash-collecting robots on key beaches. One such robot, named “Bebot,” has undergone a two-year trial period across multiple resort areas on Bali, supported by major hotel brands seeking innovative sustainability solutions.
Badung Regent Vice Bagus Alit Sucipta personally tested Bebot at Finns Beach Club on Berawa Beach, noting the robot’s potential. “From what I have observed, this should be considered for further evaluation. This robot could be used with a larger capacity, allowing it to be provided to each traditional village located in beach areas,” Sucipta said during a visit on August 19, 2025. Bebot is a small, solar-powered vehicle capable of scooping up small trash items embedded up to 10 cm deep in the sand along the coastline. Unlike manual labor, Bebot also leaves the sand surface smooth and tidy, mimicking the traditional human practice of leveling sand with a sifter broom. However, the current model has limitations in capacity and waste type collection, prompting consideration of future upgrades for enhanced performance.
Operating 2.5 hours daily using solar energy, Bebot has already cleaned stretches of Berawa and Perancak Beaches, covering approximately 180 meters in total. Plans are underway to increase the deployment of these robots to other beaches in the Tibubeneng area. The Rp1 billion investment has resulted in the collection of about 11,000 items, ranging from cigarette butts to small plastic fragments.
Sucipta also praised tourism-related businesses for adopting waste sorting measures aligned with directives from Bali’s Governor, highlighting a community-wide commitment to environmental responsibility.
NGO Efforts Complement Technological Initiatives
Alongside government and private sector efforts, several environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are actively addressing Bali’s waste crisis. Groups such as Mudfish No Plastic and Sungai Watch focus on tackling illegal waste disposal and marine plastics by developing new recycling and waste reuse systems.
French filmmaker and environmental advocate Gary Bencheghib leads Sungai Watch, a team committed to protecting Indonesia’s waterways. According to data reported by the New York Post, Sungai Watch collected over 1 million kilograms of waste in 2024 alone through more than 500 cleanup events and installed over 100 waste barriers to prevent debris from entering water systems. The organization’s efforts from 2020 to 2024 total nearly 2.8 million kilograms of waste collected, 1,600 cleanup activities conducted, and 330 waste barriers installed.
Looking Ahead
Bali’s battle against beach pollution demonstrates a multi-faceted approach combining innovative technology, government initiative, community engagement, and NGO activism. While the introduction of trash-collecting robots marks a promising advancement, ongoing collaboration and further innovation are critical to preserving the island’s natural beauty and sustaining its tourism industry.
As the waste issue persists and environmental challenges become increasingly complex, Bali sets an example of harnessing technology and collective action to safeguard precious ecosystems and enhance the experience of all who visit this beloved island destination.
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