PLASTIC POLLUTION IS ONE OF THE MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES FACING OUR OCEANS TODAY. INDONESIA IS THE SECOND LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR OF PLASTIC DEBRIS GLOBALLY, AND THIS HAS BEEN LARGELY DRIVEN BY THE LACK OF ACCESS TO WASTE MANAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE. JOIN US TO WORK WITH EARTHWATCH SCIENTISTS TO COMBAT THIS GLOBAL PROBLEM BY TESTING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A COMMUNITY-BASED RECYCLING SOLUTION IN THE VILLAGES OF LES AND PENUKTUKAN IN BALI, INDONESIA.

The world’s oceans are filled with a devastating array of plastic pollution. Everything from candy wrappers to industrial fishing nets have been found floating in the oceans, one of the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems on the planet. This pollution ends up in the ocean when it is “mismanaged”—or improperly disposed of—which can happen for a variety of reasons ranging from littering due to lack of education, or to a national-level lack of accessible recycling and waste processing facilities. Southeast Asia, and Indonesia in particular, is struggling with plastic pollution, as waste management infrastructure is often flawed or non-existent. While the plastic waste threatens biodiversity, fisheries, tourism, and ultimately livelihoods, there is no simple solution. On this expedition, participants will collect data on debris types and amounts, remove waste that poses a significant threat to wildlife, and monitor two villages: Les where Shruder machines are being implemented to recycle and repurpose plastic waste, and Penuktukan which has yet to receive Shruder machines.

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Location

Les and Penuktukan villages, Bali, Indonesia

Cost

$1250, includes accommodation, meals, transfers, insurance and research activities

Duration

7 days

Dates

1-7 April 2020

Activity Level

Moderate

Lead Scientist

Professor Steve Smith, Southern Cross University