Source: TheBaliSun

Beautiful Bali set to ban single-use plastics by end of 2022

Provincial Government announces action plan to eliminate single-use plastics by end of 2022, with local government and strategic partners hoping the ban will be in full force before the November‘s G20 Summit in Jakarta.

Bali To Ban Single Use Plastics By End Of Year

The Provincial Government in Bali has announced an action plan to eliminate single-use plastics by the end of 2022, according to a report The Bali Sun on 30 May. The local government and strategic partners are hoping that the ban will be in full flow by the time the G20 Summit comes around in November 2022. Balis is hosting the G20 Summit for the first time and all government departments from tourism to business to the environment are upping efforts to ensure that Bali is well-received on the world stage and that all previously announced policies are in full effect. 

The ban on single-use plastics in Bali is being coordinated by Zero Waste Indonesia Alliance (AZWI), the Bali Environmental Education Center (PPLH), the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL), and the Indonesian Diet Pockets Movement Plastic (GIDKP). There are many other environmental groups, eco-businesses, and campaigners who are supporting the initiative too.
A coordinated and systematic initiative. The ban on single-use plastics in Bali is being coordinated by Zero Waste Indonesia Alliance (AZWI), the Bali Environmental Education Center (PPLH), the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL), and the Indonesian Diet Pockets Movement Plastic (GIDKP). There are many other environmental groups, eco-businesses, and campaigners who are supporting the initiative too. Source: TheBaliSun
However, commentators have often pointed out that despite impactful green initiatives from Bali citizens, ex-pats, and international volunteers, there was is much further to go to curb plastic pollution across the idyllic island.
Bali is famous around the world for its green credentials. However, commentators have often pointed out that despite impactful green initiatives from Bali citizens, ex-pats, and international volunteers, there was is much further to go to curb plastic pollution across the idyllic island. Source: TheBaliSun
Nations in the global north, like the UK, the US, and Canada are famed for shipping their plastic waste to countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia to be ‘recycled’. This boosts the green credentials of the origin countries and puts increasing pressure on the already struggling waste management systems of countries like Indonesia.
Indonesia is one of the world’s worst plastic polluters, though the majority of the plastic waste that makes its way to Indonesia isn’t produced by its citizens. Nations in the global north, like the UK, the US, and Canada are famed for shipping their plastic waste to countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia to be ‘recycled’. This boosts the green credentials of the origin countries and puts increasing pressure on the already struggling waste management systems of countries like Indonesia. Source: TheBaliSun

THESE BRILLIANT BARRIERS HELP BLOCK PLASTIC POLLUTION IN INDONESIA.

Bali-based environmental organisation Sungai Watch has installed 100 river-barriers, so far capturing almost 350 tonnes of plastic waste that would otherwise have ended up in the ocean. By designing simple trash barriers and operating a collection, sorting and up-cycling system, they have created a scalable approach to tackling plastic pollution. SungaiWatch are on a mission to install 1,000 barriers by 2023. Learn more.

Single-use plastics come in many shapes and forms, it is not only the plastic bags and plastic straws that cause problems. Drinks bottles, takeaway boxes and cutlery, shampoo bottles, and food packaging are all single-use plastics that will need to be phased out as part of the plan.
That said, Bali has an undeniable plastic waste problem, which is why many environmental campaigners support the local government’s ban on single-use plastics. Single-use plastics come in many shapes and forms, it is not only the plastic bags and plastic straws that cause problems. Drinks bottles, takeaway boxes and cutlery, shampoo bottles, and food packaging are all single-use plastics that will need to be phased out as part of the plan. Source: TheBaliSun
Traditionally Bali operated on a ridge to reef principle. In the days before plastics, everything was made of organic and biodegradable materials.
There are dozens of NGOs across Bali who are working with local communities to increase environmental literacy and many more who are working to address Bali’s waste management system. Traditionally Bali operated on a ridge to reef principle. In the days before plastics, everything was made of organic and biodegradable materials. Source: TheBaliSun
When there was no plastic this was not a problem. The issue comes now as intergenerational habits stand firm. Waste often accumulated in rivers and streams, polluting the waterways, gathering in drains, and landing on Bali’s famous pristine beaches.
Waste that was not reused or recycled into compost was swept into the island’s rivers and streams and taken out to sea. When there was no plastic this was not a problem. The issue comes now as intergenerational habits stand firm. Waste often accumulated in rivers and streams, polluting the waterways, gathering in drains, and landing on Bali’s famous pristine beaches. Source: TheBaliSun

The tide is turning for Bali though

Much of the tourism sector is aware of travel trends leaning towards more eco and sustainable travel. Many hotels, backpackers, cafes, and restaurants that cater to international audiences already pride themselves on not using plastic straws or plastic bags.

The ban on plastic bags creates a unique opportunity for Balinese artisans to return to traditional ways of zero waste living, creating products that travelers would love to buy. In turn they’d play huge part in helping Bali become an example to the world as a leader in the zero waste movement.

Source: TheBaliSun

After testing with different techniques, they identified the most efficient barrier: a flexible and movable, low cost barrier for smaller river streams. Sungai Watch has already cleaned over 100 rivers in Indonesia, installed more than 100 barriers, collecting over 345,000kg of plastic. They count a team of 55 members that participated in over 100 community cleanups.
Sungai Watch created a system to clean every river in Indonesia by 2025, and eventually the world. After testing with different techniques, they identified the most efficient barrier: a flexible and movable, low cost barrier for smaller river streams. Sungai Watch has already cleaned over 100 rivers in Indonesia, installed more than 100 barriers, collecting over 345,000kg of plastic. They count a team of 55 members that participated in over 100 community cleanups. Source: SungaiWatch

LEARN MORE ABOUT SUNGAI WATCH, WHAT THEY DO, AND HOW YOU CAN HELP

Help us install the next 1,000 Barriers and clean Indonesia! To achieve this substantial goal, we need your help! Here is how you can help us get there.

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