Make Haste, Not Waste

In Bali, an NGO and private businesses join forces to address the islands dire trash problem.

- Marella Putri

Bali faces an obvious cri-sis: waste. Not only does it endanger its marine life to an irreversible extent, it is also hurting the paradise island’s economy that relies on tourism as its main source of income – it accounts for around Rp 50.24 trillion or almost 25% of its GRDP. Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Panjaitan said that Bali produces over 3,000 tons of garbage daily, with 70% coming from land as plastic waste. Along with the growing trend of sustainability awareness among travelers, both the public and businesses are called on to act more responsibly in improving the island’s sustainable development.

One of the many efforts to spread awareness of this issue was last month’s “Act Local, Impact Global” Conference, a collaboration between youth-powered NGO One Island One Voice (OIOV) and Alila Hotels and Resorts, which was attended by over 50 members of the Bali Hotel Association. It was held only a month after OIOV launched its initiative called “KOMITMEN”, which brought together individuals and businesses to commit themselves on fighting plastic pollution by banning single-use of daily items such as straws, water bottle, bags, lids and cup lids, and urging waste separation. By filling up the form on the website of OIOV, signatories have the flexibility to set their own target on gradually abandoning these plastic materials based on their respective pace and capacity. OIOV will also keep them informed with related government policies, collecting data of innovation and alternatives, and making the registered signatories public.