Sustainable Nomadism: Minimising Your Environmental Impact in Bali

I was sitting at a warung in Canggu, laptop open, cold es kelapa in hand, feeling like I’d properly cracked the whole work-from-paradise thing. And then I looked down. A single-use plastic straw, a styrofoam takeaway box somebody had abandoned, a torn carrier bag half-buried in the sand. Multiply that scene by the roughly 6.5 million tourists who visited Bali last year and you start to see the scale of it.

Being a sustainable digital nomad in Bali isn’t about guilt — it’s about recognising that if we love this island enough to build a life here, we need to look after it. The good news? It’s far easier than you’d think, and Bali is actually making it simpler every year. What follows is everything I’ve changed in my own daily routine — and the bits I’m still working on — to shrink my environmental footprint without turning my whole life upside down. From where you sleep and how you get around, to the plastic you dodge and the cleanups you can join on a Saturday morning.

Why Bali’s Environment Needs Conscious Digital Nomads

The numbers behind Bali’s waste crisis

The beauty of Bali can make you forget, briefly, that the island generates around 3,400 tonnes of waste every single day — roughly 1.2 million tonnes a year. Only about 17% of that is recyclable. Waste generation has gone up by 30% since 2000, driven largely by the tourism boom that also brought us coworking spaces and acai bowls. Suwung Landfill, the island’s primary disposal site in the south, hit capacity some time ago, and the overflow has pushed waste into illegal dumps and waterways. In the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area, 94% of marine debris samples collected have been plastic. Manta rays — those magnificent creatures you queue up to snorkel with — are filter feeders, ingesting microplastics with every mouthful.

What’s actually changing — new plastic bans and enforcement

Here’s where it gets encouraging, though. In April 2025, the Bali Governor issued Circular Letter No. 9, banning the production and sale of bottled water under one litre — the first policy of its kind in Indonesia. Full enforcement kicked in across six sectors in January 2026, covering government buildings, businesses, schools, hotels, restaurants, and marketplaces. A ban on small plastic sachets (think single-use shampoo and condiment packets) followed in early 2026. Around 96% of Bali’s roughly 1,500 traditional villages have now woven plastic restrictions into their local customary rules. The provincial government has set a target of “waste-free” status by 2027 — ambitious, but it shows real momentum.

Choosing Sustainable Accommodation and Coworking in Bali

What to look for in eco-friendly stays

Not every place marketing itself as “eco” actually earns the label. When I’m looking at villas or coliving spaces, I check for specifics: Do they have solar panels or any renewable energy? What’s their water system — do they filter and provide refill stations, or rely on plastic bottles? How do they handle waste — is there separation, composting, or a partnership with a local recycling initiative? Places like Desa Eko in Munduk publish their actual sustainability data — litres of water saved, waste diverted from landfill. That kind of transparency is rare, and I think it’s worth paying attention to. In Canggu, several coliving spaces now run on solar and have waste management infrastructure, though I’d always recommend asking direct questions rather than trusting marketing copy.

Coworking spaces that care about more than just Wi-Fi

On the coworking front, ZIN@Work in Canggu (Jl. Nelayan No. 78F) stands out — designed by Balinese architects, it blends nature with sustainable design, and you can work there for free with a café purchase. In Ubud, Outpost (with locations in Nyuh Kuning and Penestanan Kelod) draws a quieter, slightly more intentional crowd — day passes run around IDR 248,000 (~£12). Livit Hub in Sanur (Jl. Bumi Ayu) is another one I’ve heard good things about, with day passes from IDR 140,000. The point isn’t to hunt for perfection — it’s to pick places that are at least asking the right questions about their footprint.

Going Plastic-Free in Bali: Your Daily Toolkit

Six practical steps to cut your plastic use in Bali

Since the under-one-litre plastic bottle ban took effect in January 2026, Bali has become a lot easier to go plastic-free in. Here are the six things I do every day:

1. Carry a reusable water bottle everywhere. Most cafés, coworking spaces, and hotels now offer free refill stations. The RefillMyBottle app maps hundreds of refill points across the island — I use it constantly.
2. Bring your own bag. Bali banned single-use plastic bags back in 2019 (Gubernatorial Regulation No. 97, 2018), but enforcement has been patchy. A foldable tote in your backpack costs you nothing and saves a conversation at the checkout.
3. Say no to straws and cutlery. Many warungs and cafés have switched to bamboo or paper alternatives, but not all. A bamboo cutlery set and a metal straw weigh almost nothing in your bag.
4. Buy in bulk where you can. Zero Waste Bali and similar shops sell cleaning products, shampoo, and dry goods by weight. You bring your own containers. It’s cheaper, too.
5. Choose glass or aluminium. If you’re buying a drink, opt for a glass bottle or a can over plastic. Larger 1.5-litre bottles are still available if you need packaged water — decant into your reusable bottle.
6. Skip the single-serve sachets. The sachet ban is rolling out, but in the meantime, buy full-sized toiletries and cleaning products rather than the single-use packets that are still everywhere in minimarts.

Getting Around Bali Without the Carbon Guilt

Electric scooters and e-bikes

Transport is one of the biggest contributors to your carbon footprint in Bali, and the roads don’t make it easy — public transport is minimal, distances are deceptive, and ride-hailing is cheap enough that it’s tempting to Grab everywhere. But electric scooter rentals are growing fast. UNIKAT E-Bike offers monthly rentals from around IDR 4,500,000 (£220) with a battery range of up to 60 km per charge — more than enough for the Canggu-to-Seminyak corridor most nomads live in. Daily rates start at IDR 400,000 (£20). Other operators like Espot Bali and Noabike are expanding too. The charging infrastructure is still patchy outside the south, so if you’re heading to Ubud or beyond, check range carefully.

Walking, cycling, and shared transport

In areas like Ubud and parts of Sanur, cycling and walking are properly pleasant — not just tolerable, but actually enjoyable. Canggu is bikeable too, though the traffic on Jl. Raya Canggu tests your nerve. For longer trips — airport runs, day trips to the east — consider sharing a driver with other nomads rather than booking solo. Some coworking communities organise shared transport for popular routes. It’s not glamorous, but splitting a car between three or four people halves the emissions and the cost. Worth putting it out there on your coworking space’s group chat next time you’ve got an airport run coming up.

Giving Back: Supporting Bali’s Environmental Grassroots

River cleanups and beach volunteering

The environmental movement in Bali is grassroots in a way that I find properly inspiring. Sungai Watch, founded by three siblings, has installed more than 300 trash barriers across Bali’s rivers, intercepting plastic before it reaches the ocean. They run regular community cleanups — you can join as a volunteer through their website. The ZeroWaste Center offers beach cleanups and educational workshops. Body Studio Bali in Canggu organises monthly community clean-up events that are a surprisingly good way to meet people while doing something useful. Most of these are free and welcome drop-ins. Even if you only have a couple of hours spare on a weekend, that’s enough — and you’ll come away feeling like you’ve actually done something tangible rather than just worrying about the state of the world.

Choosing businesses that invest locally

Beyond volunteering, think about where your money goes. Eat at warungs rather than international chains — the food is better, cheaper, and the revenue stays in the local economy. Choose tour operators who employ local guides. Buy from markets rather than imported-goods supermarkets when you can. Ask your villa owner if they use a local waste management service. None of these are dramatic gestures, but added together they shift how the money flows. The more demand there is for sustainable options, the more businesses respond — I’ve watched that happen in Canggu over the past few years.

Wrapping Up

You don’t have to be perfect at this. I’m not — I still sometimes forget my bag, I’ve been known to accept a plastic straw without thinking, and I definitely haven’t figured out how to completely eliminate my carbon footprint here. But that’s rather the point. Sustainable nomadism in Bali isn’t about purity; it’s about direction. Every refill, every electric scooter ride, every beach cleanup shifts the needle slightly. And with Bali’s own regulations getting stronger — the plastic bottle ban, the sachet restrictions, the community-led village rules — the island is meeting you halfway.

If you’re planning your move to Bali, or you’re already here and want to tread a bit lighter, I’d love to hear what’s working for you. Drop a comment below, or subscribe to Destined for Bali for more honest guides on making this island life work — beautifully, and responsibly.

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FAQs

Is Bali eco-friendly for digital nomads in 2026?

Bali is getting more eco-friendly each year, with new plastic bans, growing electric transport options, and hundreds of water refill stations. It’s not perfect — waste management still lags behind the volume of tourism — but a conscious nomad can live with a low environmental impact here if they make deliberate choices.

What is the plastic bottle ban in Bali?

Since January 2026, Bali has fully enforced a ban on the production and sale of plastic water bottles under one litre, under Governor’s Circular Letter No. 9 of 2025. Hotels, restaurants, shops, and schools must offer alternatives like refill stations or larger-format bottles.

Where can I refill my water bottle in Bali?

The RefillMyBottle app maps hundreds of free refill stations across Bali — in cafés, coworking spaces, hotels, and restaurants. Most coworking spaces and mid-range accommodations also have filtered water stations.

Are there electric scooter rentals in Bali?

Yes. Companies like UNIKAT E-Bike, Espot Bali, and Noabike offer electric scooter and e-bike rentals. Monthly rates start from around IDR 4,500,000 (~£220). Battery range is typically 40–60 km per charge, which is enough for daily use in the south of the island.

How can I volunteer for beach cleanups in Bali?

Sungai Watch runs regular river and beach cleanups across Bali — check their website for upcoming events. The ZeroWaste Center and Body Studio Bali in Canggu also organise monthly community cleanups. Most are free and welcome walk-ins.

What are the best eco-friendly coworking spaces in Bali?

ZIN@Work in Canggu is designed with sustainable materials by Balinese architects. Outpost in Ubud attracts a community-minded crowd with day passes from IDR 248,000. Livit Hub in Sanur is another solid option. Look for spaces that filter their own water and manage waste responsibly.

Does Bali have zero waste shops?

Yes. Zero Waste Bali and similar bulk stores sell cleaning products, toiletries, and dry goods by weight — you bring your own containers. They’re mostly in Canggu and Ubud, with more opening regularly.

How much waste does Bali produce each day?

Bali generates about 3,400 tonnes of waste per day — roughly 1.2 million tonnes a year. Only around 17% is recyclable. The island’s main landfill, Suwung, has exceeded capacity, which is driving efforts toward source-based waste reduction.

What is Sungai Watch and how does it help Bali’s environment?

Sungai Watch is a grassroots organisation that puts physical trash barriers across Bali’s rivers to catch plastic before it reaches the ocean. They’ve put in more than 300 barriers and run regular community cleanups. Volunteers can join through their website.

Can I reduce my carbon footprint while living in Bali?

Absolutely. Rent an electric scooter instead of a petrol one, share drivers for longer trips, walk or cycle in areas like Ubud and Sanur, choose solar-powered accommodation, eat locally at warungs, and support businesses with visible sustainability practices. Perfection isn’t the goal — consistent, conscious choices are.