New Year's celebrations in Bali were nothing short of spectacular, with hundreds of thousands of revelers ushering in 2024 on the island's iconic beaches. However, the aftermath has left authorities grappling with a massive cleanup operation as over 20 tonnes of trash were abandoned on the beachfront.

The bustling beaches of Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak attracted crowds eager to witness an impressive fireworks display as the clock struck midnight on January 1st. Despite the success of the festivities, the party atmosphere took a toll on the environment, with an unprecedented amount of waste left behind by partygoers.

Officials have confirmed that the Badung Regency Environment and Hygiene Service (DLHK) team has been tirelessly working to clear the beaches of Seminyak, Legian, and Kuta. The Samigita Beaches, as the coastline is known, saw one of the highest concentrations of New Year's Eve celebrations on the island.

Made Gede Dwipayana, the Badung DLHK Marine Debris Detection and Evacuation Coordinator, expressed gratitude for the team's efforts. "At approximately 09.00 WITA, the Samigita Beach area was clean. The total amount of rubbish at Samigita Beach is 10 trucks or 20 tonnes of rubbish," he stated in a press conference.

Remarkably, the cleanup team received support from 15 additional workers sponsored by Coca-Cola, aiding in the efficient disposal of the waste. Dwipayana acknowledged the decrease in ocean trash compared to previous years, stating, "Fortunately, there is currently zero beach trash, whereas last year, there was a lot of beach trash."

However, the cleanup efforts don't end here. Dwipayana emphasized that the team will remain on standby during the rainy season, prepared to address any influx of ocean plastic on Bali's shores. "We will continue patrolling there to anticipate waste from the wet season," he added.

Looking ahead, officials responsible for Kuta Beach, Legian Beach, and Seminyak Beach are urging proactive measures to maintain cleanliness. They plan to collaborate with beachfront traders to minimize waste at the source. Wayan Sirna, Chairman of the Kuta Beach Task Force, highlighted simple solutions that could significantly impact the situation, such as containing coconut shells in plastic bags for easier transportation.

In a bid to tackle the island's waste management challenges, Bali's Acting Governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya announced that 50-70% of the funds generated from the new tourism tax, set to be introduced on February 14, 2024, will be dedicated to addressing these environmental issues. This commitment underscores the island's determination to preserve its natural beauty and ensure a more sustainable future for tourism in Bali.