To discourage single-use plastic—an overwhelming issue in Bali—an initiative donated reusable water bottles to young students on the island.
Dubbed BYOB, ’Bring Your Own Bottle,’ the initiative, run by the Begawan Foundation, managed the donation of 208 bottles on June 10 to the students of elementary school, SDN 4 Sibang Gede.
Trailing China, Indonesia is ranked as the second worst contributor of waste pollution to the marine environment. Non-biodegradable plastic is a huge proportion of the waste, which can be seen clearly every rainy season across the country, even in ‘paradise’ resort spots like Bali where literally tons of rubbish wash up on shore. Plastic water bottles are usually one of the items most commonly found in the trash tidal waves.
Change has to start somewhere and when it comes to changing attitudes, it seems the best place to start is with the kiddos. Students at SDN 4 Sibang Gede were shocked to learn how long a single-use cup will last and that it doesn’t decompose, but lasts for hundreds of years, becoming mircroplastics, which can enter the food chain, the Begawan Foundation said in a press release shared with Coconuts Bali.
“We hope the bottles will not only reduce the amount of single use plastic, but also have a positive effect on the students’ health as regular consumption of refined sugary drinks can effect students’ concentration levels and lead to rising levels of obesity and Type II Diabetes,” Begawan Foundation’s Education and Community Manager, Rima Agustina, said in a presentation at the elementary school.
In Bali, the traditional village is one of the most powerful social units, which made it a huge deal when village elders, along with village head I Wayan Darmika attended the event and expressed interest in collaborating with future education and waste management efforts.
“Adults can be the hardest to change their mindsets and habits regarding using single use plastic, but the amazing turn-out of parents and Head of the Village and Kleins gives us cause for hope” Agustina concluded.
Established in 1999 by Bradley and Debbie Gardner, the Begawan Foundation was launched with a mission to give back to Bali’s local population by addressing nature conservation, education, and healthcare needs.
Also helping the Begawan Foundation was Big Tree Farms, a fair-trade distributor of organic products based in Sibang Village. Back in February, the two joined forces for fundraising event “A Starling Event” to raise money for the reusable bottles.
Begawan Foundation says it has plans to grow its programs further in Bali.
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