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Bali Hotels Note 20% Off Their Disposable Plastics Use
06/26/2012

Bali hotels plastic use has dropped by over 20% in 2011. According to the results released by the Bali Hotels Association (BHA) of one of its key 2011 environmental initiatives, the "Say No to Disposable Plastics", data showed that of the 30 BHA member hotels who participated, there was a 23% average reduction of the plastic usage Bali hotels participants from May to November 2012, exceeding the set goal of 20%.

The aforementioned environmental program was intended to encourage member hotels to replace disposable plastics, which is known to take hundreds of years to degrade, with biodegradable plastics and other environmentally friendly alternatives such as glass.

BHA Chairman, Jean-Charles LeCoz said, "This is great news." "When we launched this program in April 2011, our aim was to see an overall reduction of 20%; the fact that we have exceeded this is testament to our members' commitment to preserving Bali's natural heritage both as a tourism destination and for its inhabitants."

One of the major toxic pollutants of our time is plastic and in Bali, there is approximately 750,000 kilos of plastic garbage generated per day, which is almost 50% more than Jakarta.

For this reason, as part of the "Say No to Disposable Plastics" campaign, replacement of plastic bottles with reusable glass ones are also encouraged by BHA of its members.

Meanwhile, Plastic-Free Bali, a non-profit organization campaigning to prevent plastic waste in Bali, is now calling on the Bali administration for a plastic ban Bali campaign.

The policy is said to be needed in order to make a dent in the amount of plastic waste before 2013, the year targeted by the administration to see Bali free of plastic.

Tina Stockport, communication manager of Plastic-Free Bali said, "Banning the bag is an obvious first step in addressing Bali's garbage problems, but such a sweeping measure requires strong government commitment to enforce it, along with widespread public support."

This Bali anti-plastic policy might include an initial bag tax, strictly enforced regulations and fines for illegal dumping, as well as increased public education about the obvious need to clean up Bali.

Stockport said that the banning of the plastic bag is the simplest solution, saying, "If India and China, the world's largest emerging consumer nations can do it, then so can Bali."

The Bali Clean and Green Program was launched by the Bali provincial administration in 2010 to restore and protect the Balinese environment, which is facing gigantic development projects and a rising population. As part of its Bali Clean and Green Program, the administration also vowed to free the island from plastic garbage by the end of 2013.