Turning the Tide on Plastic Pollution in Bali

Plastic Collective and Earthwatch are working with local NGO Sea Communities and a village-owned enterprise BUMDes Sari Lestari, installing two small portable recycling machines to kick-start a new circular economy in Les Village, a remote fishing village on Bali’s northern coast.

Plastic waste is a social and environmental problem faced the world over. This partnership is enabling the community to tackle this issue from both sides, creating a real chance of successfully improving the marine debris issue in Bali.

Our Work Aligns With

Real outcomes

Since the program’s inception, the community has developed numerous products from recycled plastic for sale to local and global audiences. With the guidance of Plastic Collective, the village social enterprise is also aiming to sell its recycled plastic into larger international markets for post-consumer recycled plastics.

The program is also undertaking environmental monitoring to understand what impact small-scale recycling is having in reducing plastics in the community. Led by Prof Stephen Smith of Southern Cross University, his team has found that some items that can be recycled in the Shruder have decreased in the environment from 2018 to 2019, demonstrating that small-scale recycling can have positive impacts on the local environment.

Plastic Pollution Solutions

By 2050 it is predicted there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. We need to act now to stop plastics entering our oceans and we can't do it without your support.

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Workshops

Focusing on two areas, Climate Action and Wetlands, your school can host workshops with Earthwatch program managers.
ClimateWatch

ClimateWatch is a program that aims to understand how changes in temperature and rainfall are affecting the seasonal behaviour of Australia's plants and animals by monitoring changes in flowering times, breeding cycles and migration movement. Simply by snapping a photo in your backyard or local area, ClimateWatch gives every Australian the opportunity to get involved in collecting and recording data that will help shape the country’s scientific response to climate change.
Tiny Forests

Urban forests play a critical role in maintaining the health and liveability of cities, increasing a city's resilience. Earthwatch Australia is partnering with researchers and social enterprises across Australia to deliver tiny forests, an accelerated and intensive planting process to bring biodiversity back into our cities.
Wetlands not Wastelands

In partnership with Coca Cola Australia Foundation, the Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, and Plastic Collective, Earthwatch provides training to 20 CLCAC Indigenous Land and Environment Rangers and 30 community volunteers to help deliver a first-of-its-kind marine pollution and wetland management program in the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria.

Wetlands not Wastelands

In partnership with Coca Cola Australia Foundation, the Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, and Plastic Collective, Earthwatch provides training to 20 CLCAC Indigenous Land and Environment Rangers and 30 community volunteers to help deliver a first-of-its-kind marine pollution and wetland management program in the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it impacts the Earthwatch community.
Global Marine Debris

Marine debris and plastic pollution has fast become one of the greatest environmental challenges we face. Partnering with Amcor, we take their employees on a real-life learning experience where they undertake marine debris research around the world. Inspiration for innovation within the business and finding solutions at the manufacture point are a key aim of the project. Previous partners include CSIRO and Southern Cross University.
Project Manta Ningaloo Reef

Help collect samples and identify the microscopic food items in the waters around Ningaloo Reef to evaluate changes in the Manta Ray’s food web.
Protecting the Reef's Coastal Frontier

Take part in one of the longest running mangrove forest studies in Australia and help us protect both the mangroves and the coral reefs that rely on the healthy functioning of these coastal habitats.
Recovery of the Great Barrier Reef

Help Earthwatch scientists in active recovery efforts on and around Magnetic Island on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Amazon Riverboat Exploration

Help conserve wildlife within the Amazon Basin, while seeking pink river dolphins, primates, macaw, caiman, giant river otters, piranha and exotic fish.
Bird Songs of the Olympic Peninsula

Hike through the vast wilderness of the Olympic Peninsula while helping researchers explore the balance between community wellbeing and conservation of wildlife habitat.
Climate Change & Caterpillars in Costa Rica

Help scientists untangle the complex relationships between caterpillars, the plants they eat and the changes in climate that will reshape the rainforest.
Climate Change at the Arctic's Edge

Shrinking sea ice, retreating glaciers, a tree line migrating farther North, and less snow that melts earlier—uncover what these climate-related changes mean for the Arctic and all of us.

Save the Reef and Oceans

From biodiversity and food supply to the livelihoods of millions, so much depends on our oceans. Coral reefs are home to one quarter of all life in the oceans, and provide humans with immense benefits such as coastal protection, fisheries, and tourism.
Global Impact

Earthwatch is committed globally to inspiring action for a net positive impact on the environment.
Plastic Pollution Solutions

By 2050 it is predicted there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. We need to act now to stop plastics entering our oceans and we can't do it without your support.
Recovery of the Great Barrier Reef

Help Earthwatch scientists in active recovery efforts on and around Magnetic Island on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Why It Matters

The global climate crisis is the most pressing environmental challenge humanity now faces. Earthwatch can help you be a part of the solution and together we can keep ahead of climate change.
Protect our Unique Wildlife

Australia is renowned for its unique wildlife, with more than 70% of our species found nowhere else on earth. We can stop the decline of our wildlife by helping people reconnect with nature.
Save the Bees

Global honey bee populations are decreasing at an alarming rate. To understand and prevent colony collapse, Earthwatch is putting tiny ‘backpacks’ on our bee friends to find out more about them.
Expedition Team Leader

Do you have a passion for science, biodiversity and education? We are looking for an Expedition Team Leader for our Bush Blitz Expedition at Fowlers Bay.
ClimateWatch

ClimateWatch is a program that aims to understand how changes in temperature and rainfall are affecting the seasonal behaviour of Australia's plants and animals by monitoring changes in flowering times, breeding cycles and migration movement. Simply by snapping a photo in your backyard or local area, ClimateWatch gives every Australian the opportunity to get involved in collecting and recording data that will help shape the country’s scientific response to climate change.
Corporate Sustainability

Earthwatch helps businesses understand their environmental impacts, build resilience and demonstrate leadership in sustainability.