The influx of people and the outflow of goods may bring immense wealth to the tourism industry, but the resulting environmental pollution often causes incalculable damage in various countries. Bali, a popular tourist destination in Indonesia, recently implemented a new policy: a complete ban on single-use plastic items, including plastic bags, polystyrene foam, and straws. The picturesque island of Bali attracts a constant stream of tourists, its clear waters and fine sands being its biggest selling point. However, years of development have brought with them the devastating consequences of human-caused environmental pollution. At Sanur Beach in Denpasar, piles of plastic waste, such as water cups and suction cups, are piled up on the shore where tourists disembark and on the natural sand a short distance from the hotel area, creating a disgusting scene. According to a report in Singapore's *The Straits Times*, Bali faces a severe garbage problem. Not only do tourists litter, but local businesses also lack environmental awareness, frequently dumping garbage from hotels and villages indiscriminately. Some workers, seeking convenience, even carelessly discard garbage into the sea, allowing it to be washed ashore on beautiful beaches by tides and currents. This has caused serious pollution to the local waters and beaches. Although the Indonesian government occasionally deploys large machinery and ships for cleanup, Bali's garbage collection services and infrastructure remain inadequate and cannot keep pace with economic development, leading to a worsening situation. "The litter situation here is really terrible..." Wayan Aksara, a tour guide in Bali, has noticed the island's beaches becoming increasingly littered for the past five years. "Every time I take tourists, I hear complaints about how unclean the island is and how much trash there is." Ignoring the problem only exacerbates it. Bali's Premier, I Wayan Koster, has implemented a "plastic ban," directly prohibiting the use of single-use plastic items in Bali, hoping to reduce marine debris by 70% by 2019. The new policy will have a six-month grace period for the industry to adapt, but it is retroactive. The government signed the bill into effect on December 21st. In a media interview, Koster stated, "This policy is top-down, regulating everyone from manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and sellers, including individuals, who must use alternative materials to replace plastic. Those who do not comply will be punished; if they refuse to comply, we will revoke their business licenses." Although the ocean is vast and it's difficult to estimate the origin of the garbage, local experts estimate that 80% comes from Bali itself. The local plastic reduction policy may help reduce Bali's garbage problem. Faced with the garbage crisis, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has taken it very seriously, personally promoting and advocating for citizens to reduce their plastic use in order to save the country's vital tourism industry. Following Bali, the capital Jakarta is also planning to follow suit, and the government has drafted legislation restricting single-use plastic products. Isnawa Adji, head of Jakarta's Environment Department, pointed out that according to public surveys, 90% of residents agree that plastic use should be reduced. The initial plan is to limit the number of straws restaurants use, hoping businesses will follow suit. Currently, they are communicating with industry and the public to gather more ideas to make the legislation more comprehensive. Since 2017, the Indonesian government has planned to reduce marine debris by 70% by 2025. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Customs and Consumer Affairs Agency is also considering imposing a tax on plastic shopping bags starting in 2019 to achieve the goal of reducing public usage. Source: Up Media (2018/12/26)
