With Bali in the international spotlight for its waste problem, Coca-Cola, Quiksilver and Garuda Indonesia have hosted ‘Bali’s Big Eco Weekend 2014’ to raise awareness and support the preservation of Bali’s environment.
The recent beach clean-up was supported by Miss Earth Indonesia 2013 Nita Sofiani, along with a range of international pro surfers such as Mark Richards and Sally Fitzgibbon, whose surfing safaris make up the bulk of Bali’s tourists.
“We’re all proud of Bali and we enjoy what the island has to offer. Therefore it’s our responsibility to advocate its image to the rest of the world by helping to keep it clean,” Sofiani said.
Thousands of visitors also rolled up their sleeves to pick up waste on Padma Beach in Legian in the annual eco festival’s seventh year of bringing attention to Bali’s environmental state.
Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia and Quiksilver started 'Bali's Beach Clean Up' (BBCU) program in 2008, inviting Garuda Indonesia to join the initiative in 2012 after realising they needed more partners in order to spread the message further.
Since its inception, the program has employed 75 beach clean-up crews, 4 tractors, 3 rubbish trucks, 2 barber surf rakes, and has provided over 1200 waste bins to help remove the rubbish along Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, and Kedonganan beaches.
The program collected 373,000kg of waste from five beaches in January 2013, which jumped 45% in January this year. Bali’s Big Eco Weekend was a step to invite more locals and international influencers to support the cause in Bali.
The weekend offered a series of eco activities such as surfing competitions and volleyball, eco talks from community bloggers and eco food stalls to showcase ways that people can still enjoy Bali’s beaches while looking out for the environment.
Garuda xxecutive vice president human capital & corporate affairs Heriyanto Agung Putra said the eco weekend was an important strategy to ensure Bali remains a popular tourist destination and promotes its conservational concern.
“Together with Coca Cola and Quicksilver, Garuda will ensure that Bali's beautiful beaches stay clean and comfortable for tourists so that Bali remains one of the world best tourist destinations," said Agung Putra.
