Photographer Exposes Bali's Plastic Nightmare: Beaches Inundated with Waste

As of November 15th, 2025, the plastic pollution crisis on the island of Bali has reached alarming levels. In January of this year, the island's beaches were inundated with waves of plastic waste, a phenomenon that has been steadily worsening over the past several years.

Photographer and filmmaker Sean Gallagher traveled to Bali earlier this year to document the increasing tide of rubbish washing up on the beaches and riverbanks, as well as the monumental challenge faced by the local community in cleaning up the mess. His powerful portraits capturing the scale of the problem and the people working to address it are now on display as part of the 2025 Head On photo festival at Bondi Beach promenade in Sydney, Australia. The exhibition will run until November 30th.

The plastic pollution crisis in Bali is a stark reminder of the global waste management crisis, with the island's beautiful natural landscapes being overwhelmed by the tide of single-use plastics and other refuse. Gallagher's work shines a light on this pressing environmental issue, offering a glimpse into the daily realities faced by Bali's residents as they grapple with the daunting task of cleaning up their beaches and waterways.