The Plastic Bag Habit and the Ocean Bali: From Banana Leaf Wrappings to Reusable Bags

Abstract

The pollution of the oceans by plastic waste is a growing threat to marine life, ecosystems, livelihoods of coastal communities and the health of human beings in general. Indonesia is the world’s second largest source of marine plastic pollution. As an island state, plastic litter is regularly flushed into the sea. In this study we explore some behavioural and cultural reasons for the high consumption and pollution by plastic bags on Bali and locally adapted solutions. The data was collected from interviews and surveys with shop owners and customers, religious leaders, students, lecturers and activists during 3 years of research in the region. The analysis is structured in three parts: first, understanding the relevant concepts that inform Balinese perception of the natural environment; second, analysing the popularity and aversions among local Balinese in regard to plastic bags; third, investigating a local initiative working towards a ban of plastic bags. Based on these three parts we identified promising approaches that can effectively support local initiatives and awareness campaigns.

The politics of anti-plastics activism in Indonesia and Malaysia

“…Significantly, however, searching Google Scholar using combinations of the terms "Indonesia, Malaysia, plastic*, pollution, politic*, govern*, activism, advocacy, and nongovernmental" does find some specific research on anti-plastics activism in Indonesia and Malaysia (e.g., Zen et al, 2013;Richards and Zen, 2016;Sarpong, 2020;Shaharudin et al, 2020;Adestika, 2021;Andika, 2021;Merdhi and Imanjaya, 2022;Spranz and Schlüter, 2023). A general Google search using these terms yields additional research and activist output, including newspaper articles, documentary films, and websites of advocacy groups within Indonesia and Malaysia.…”