Several cities or countries have banned the use of plastic bags, especially in the food distribution. Others try to limit by charging the bag. Bali has decided to ban the use of single-use plastic bags in order to drastically reduce marine pollution.
Final prohibition of the plastic bag.
On December 24, 2018, Bali's governor, Wayan Koster, announced the ban on single-use plastics in 2019. This new initiative is expected to come into effect within six months to give businesses time to react.
Social media played heavily
A video of a British diver swimming through garbage strips off Bali showed the extent of plastic waste floating in Indonesian waters.
The images were captured by Rich Horner showing him swimming at Manta Point, a famous dive site about 20 km from the famous tourist island.
The video on YouTube has been picked up by most media around the world: https://youtu.be/Eg9PVElfmcM
A photo has become viral @thelifeofjord: www.instagram.com/p/BrbjPErAPEK/ - Since December 2018, the photo has been seen on this account more than 30 000 times. We should add those who added this photo in their own account.
We can mention the founders of "Bye Bye Plastic Bags" who fought for a future without plastic. Isabel and Melati (two sisters who started the youth movement when they were only 13 and 15 years old) campaigned relentlessly against the production of plastic bags in Bali. They participated in a TED Talks conference: https://youtu.be/P8GCjrDWWUM
The usual photos of Bali are more attractive
When you imagine Bali, you have in mind beautiful white sand beaches, hidden waterfalls and breathtaking scenery, sumptuous villas and rightly so. But let's face it, Bali has been fighting a growing environmental crisis for decades. The paradise island does not digest its plastic anymore
Bali's governor hopes for significant reduction
As a result of this ban, the governor hopes to reduce by 70% the marine pollution by the plastic of Bali. Wayan Koster adds: "This policy is aimed at producers, distributors, suppliers and commercial players, including individuals, to eliminate the use of single-use plastics" ... "They must substitute plastic for other materials. A grace period of six months was granted and then the police will intervene and verbalize the offenders.
Our friends from Villa Finder also act
Environmental issues are at the heart of Villa Finder's concerns (renter of villas in Bali, Sri Lanka ...). "We are also concerned about deforestation in Sumatra. For each confirmed reservation, we will plant a mangrove tree in Medan. So far, 3,888 trees have been planted. This is another environmental problem. The company also intends to act with the owners of villas to limit the use of plastic bottles.
In tourism, we know that it is not only in Bali that environmental problems are detrimental to tourism. We will discuss the problems and especially the solutions provided by cities and countries that participate in a better environment.
Serge Fabre on LaQuotidienne