The study was published in the International Journal of Sustainability in Research (IJSR) and examined whether the facility can operate sustainably in the long term while supporting Bali’s transition toward a circular economy. Researchers found that the waste management system performs well technically and receives strong public support, but still depends heavily on external funding to remain operational.
Bali’s Waste Crisis Drives Local Solutions
Bali has faced mounting waste problems over the past decade as population growth, urban development, and tourism continue to increase the volume of household and commercial waste. Traditional “collect-transport-dispose” systems have struggled to keep pace, placing pressure on landfills across the island.
To address the issue, the Indonesian government and the Bali provincial administration have promoted TPS 3R facilities — localized waste treatment centers based on the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Bali Governor Regulation No. 47/2019 specifically requires waste management to begin at the household level through source separation and community participation.
TPS 3R Pudak Mesari has become one of the most recognized examples of this policy in practice. The facility previously received district-level recognition as one of the best waste management sites in Badung Regency. However, according to the researchers, no comprehensive scientific assessment had been conducted to determine whether the operation was genuinely sustainable over time.
Study Examined Technical, Financial, and Social Performance
The research team used a quantitative descriptive-evaluative approach to assess the facility’s operational performance and sustainability. The study involved surveys, field observations, operational records, and financial data analysis. Researchers surveyed 78 households selected through random sampling from 702 households currently served by the facility.
The analysis combined several sustainability indicators, including:
- waste generation and recovery rates,
- financial performance,
- environmental impact,
- labor and land efficiency,
- and Social Return on Investment (SROI).
The SROI method was particularly important because it allowed the researchers to measure not only financial returns, but also broader social and environmental benefits such as cleaner neighborhoods, public health improvements, educational value, and reduced landfill pressure.
More Than 80 Percent of Waste Recovered
The results showed that TPS 3R Pudak Mesari performs strongly in operational and environmental terms.
Between July and December, the facility processed approximately 259.61 tons of waste. Organic waste accounted for 69.9 percent of the total, followed by plastics at 12 percent and residual waste at 18.1 percent.
Researchers found that around 81.9 percent of incoming waste could be recovered through composting and recycling processes, significantly reducing the amount sent to landfills. The study also reported a perfect mass balance score, meaning all waste entering the facility could be tracked through processing and disposal channels.
The facility currently operates on approximately 1,000 square meters of land and includes composting infrastructure, waste sorting areas, administrative offices, and transport vehicles. Eleven workers manage the daily operations.
According to the researchers, the high recovery rate demonstrates that community-scale waste facilities can effectively support circular economy principles by turning waste into reusable resources rather than landfill material.
“Most of the waste is effectively converted into valuable products,” the researchers wrote in their analysis of the facility’s recovery performance.
Strong Community Support Boosts Sustainability
The social dimension of the project emerged as one of its greatest strengths. Survey responses showed high levels of public participation, environmental awareness, and willingness to separate waste at the household level.
The study recorded:
- a social impact score of 0.838,
- an economic impact score of 0.836,
- and an environmental impact score of 0.794.
These scores indicate that residents perceive direct benefits from the facility, including cleaner surroundings, reduced waste disposal problems, and opportunities for income generation through recycling and compost production.
The researchers noted that TPS 3R Pudak Mesari has evolved beyond a waste processing center into a local hub for environmental education and behavioral change. Community engagement was identified as a key factor supporting the long-term viability of the system.
Financial Sustainability Remains the Main Weakness
Despite strong technical and social outcomes, the facility faces major financial limitations.
The study found that TPS 3R Pudak Mesari recorded a negative Net Present Value (NPV) of approximately Rp1.23 billion over a projected ten-year period. The Benefit-Cost Ratio (B/C ratio) was only 0.28, meaning operational revenues covered just 28 percent of total expenses.
Annual revenues reached around Rp317.55 million, while yearly operational costs exceeded Rp1.12 billion. The facility also relied on an initial village investment of Rp2.35 billion.
These figures suggest that the waste management system cannot yet operate independently without public subsidies or external financial support.
However, the broader SROI analysis painted a more positive picture. Researchers calculated an SROI ratio of 1.005, meaning every Rp1 invested generated approximately Rp1 in combined social, economic, and environmental value.
The monetized benefits included:
- reduced landfill disposal costs,
- lower carbon emissions,
- green job creation,
- improved soil quality from compost,
- environmental education,
- and longer landfill lifespan.
According to the research team from Udayana University, these findings show that public waste systems should not be evaluated solely through traditional accounting measures because their broader environmental and social contributions are substantial.
Recommendations for Bali and Indonesia
The researchers recommended several strategies to strengthen the long-term sustainability of community-based waste systems in Bali and other parts of Indonesia.
Key recommendations include:
- improving household waste sorting education,
- expanding service coverage,
- developing stronger village regulations,
- upgrading sorting technology,
- and increasing revenue through higher-value recycled products and compost sales.
The study also encouraged future exploration of waste-to-product technologies such as Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae cultivation and rapid composting systems to increase the economic value of organic waste streams.
Researchers believe the TPS 3R Pudak Mesari model could serve as a reference for decentralized waste management systems in tourism regions and rural communities across Indonesia.
Author Profiles
Adick Made Surya Kencana Suweta is a researcher in the Master Program in Sustainable Development and Finance at Udayana University. His research focuses on sustainable waste management, circular economy systems, and community-based environmental governance.
Prof. Ngakan Ketut Acwin Dwijendra is a senior academic and sustainability researcher at Udayana University with expertise in sustainable development, environmental planning, and community infrastructure systems.
Dr. I Made Oka Widyantara is a researcher specializing in infrastructure management, environmental systems, and sustainable regional development at Udayana University.
Source
Journal Article: Performance Evaluation of 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Waste Treatment Facilities from a Sustainable Waste Management Perspective: A Case Study in Darmasaba Village, Badung, Bali, Indonesia
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