Bali, Indonesia, 22 August 2024: The second day of the Study Tour was successfully conducted as part of the Knowledge Exchange Program (KEP) 2024 under the SEA-MaP Regional Project, where participants toured two locations in Tabanan Regency and Bangli Regency. The visits were organized in collaboration with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), and the local government and organizations in Bali, Indonesia.

The tour began with a river cleanup activity in Kelurahan Kediri area, organized by Sungai Watch, a local organization that conducts regular clean-ups of various rivers across Bali. The participants collected various types of waste within and alongside the river, the majority of which contained plastic packaging of food, beverages, and other essential daily products. This was followed by a visit to the facility owned by Sungai Watch, where waste collected from the rivers would be sorted and transported for recycling.

Next, the participants visited Penglipuran Village, a popular destination that was awarded as one of the three cleanest villages in the world. They visited residential homes which showcased the villagers’ waste sorting and collection methods; as well as a walk-through that included a visit to the community’s temporary collective waste disposal area, the village’s bamboo forest, and a garden centre that is equipped with a section dedicated for composting bamboo leaves into fertilizer. The participants observed the uniqueness of the village, notably the traditional culture such as norms and customs abided by local inhabitants to ensure that exemplary sustainable practices continue to be upheld.

Throughout the day, the participants observed the importance of education, awareness, and culture in fostering sustainable environmental practices. At both sites, the participants showed great engagement and enthusiasm with the day’s program and interacted with the local community.

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The SEA-MaP Regional Project recently hosted its inaugural Knowledge Exchange Program in Bali, Indonesia on 19 – 23 August 2024. The Program focused on Behavioral Change in Plastics and Plastic Waste Management and delivered through an interactive training and study tour.

Visit these links to read more on the training sessions and the first day of the Study Tour.