Village Projects
With the support of local authorities and global partners, our work ensures that villages not only manage waste effectively but thrive independently. Together, we can build a cleaner, healthier Bali for future generations.
OVERVIEW OF OUR PROJECT AREA
North West Bali and West Bali National Park
West Bali National Park, the only National Park in Bali, is home to the sacred MENJANGAN ISLAND, renowned for its rich diversity of fish and coral. This has made the island a top destination for diving and snorkeling, earning it the title of the "crown jewel" of the National Park and its surrounding villages.
North West Bali remains one of the few rural areas with virgin forests and abundant wildlife. The National Park spans 190 km² of land and sea, supporting a wide variety of ecosystems.
Regulations and Realities of Village Waste Management Structures
Villages can apply for government funds to build village-level waste management facilities, such as TPST or TPS3R, and to acquire essential equipment. To qualify, villages must:
In the past, many villages have struggled to create sustainable plans and secure funding for waste management facilities. As a result, numerous facilities built previously are either not operational or not functioning sustainably. A key issue is the lack of education and guidelines for the community, coupled with resistance to paying for trash collection and management, even when there is a regulation mandating such payments.
In Indonesia, villages are prohibited from conducting direct monetary transactions or receiving payments for services such as trash collection. Instead, each village typically has a community-based entity with a banking license, which often serves as a partner in our waste management efforts. These entities are responsible for operating the waste management facilities, including collecting trash within the village.
VILLAGE PROJECT
SUMBERKLAMPOK VILLAGE
Sumberklampok Village has the smallest population of the four villages in our project area, with estimated 3,500 inhabitants. The inhabitants are predominantly farmers, and there are few businesses in the area. A large part of the village lies within West Bali National Park, and Labuan Lalang, the main gateway to Menjangan Island, is also part of the village.
Transforming Labuan Lalang and Menjangan Island with Sustainable Solutions
Pioneering Waste Management in West Bali
The founder and coordinator of this program initiated the waste management efforts in Labuan Lalang and Menjangan Island in 2017, at a time when there was no waste management infrastructure in Sumberklampok or the National Park.
In October 2021, the Rotary Club of Bali Seminyak supported our team in expanding the program to Labuan Lalang in collaboration with West Bali National Park. Labuan Lalang is a key transit point for those traveling to Menjangan Island.
Prior to the initiation of the waste management program, conventional plastic trash bins in Labuan Lalang were accessible to monkeys and dogs, making it challenging to maintain cleanliness. To address this issue, our program introduced attractive bamboo structures with animal-proof bins and educational posters at four locations in Labuan Lalang. This initiative has been highly successful and well-received in the area.
Waste Into Resources
Building a Community-Driven Waste Solution in Sumberklampok
Our involvement led the Desa Adat (leader of the Hindu community in Sumberklampok) to donate land, including an abandoned building in the Teluk Terima bay area. Our education team designed a village-level sorting facility for Sumberklampok and encouraged the village authorities to apply for government funds to construct the facility.
With support from the Desa Adat, Disty Pearl Farm, and the Global Grant from Rotary International, we have built a compost facility and renovated part of the old building. This building now serves as the village sorting facility, where all trash collected from Menjangan Island and Labuan Lalang is properly managed and sorted.
VILLAGE PROJECT
Sumberklampok - Labuan Lalang Transformation Project
Supported by Rotary Club of Bali Seminyak (RCBS)
Labuan Lalang is the main departure point for trips to Menjangan Island, a top destination for divers and snorkelers and a sacred site for the Balinese Hindu community. However, visitors often buy food and snacks from local stalls, leading to significant trash buildup.
From No Services to a Sustainable Solution
Transforming Labuan Lalang’s Waste Management
Located in Sumberklampok Village, Labuan Lalang previously lacked proper trash management or collection services. Since 2017, our team, led by Rosa, worked tirelessly to address this issue, initially without funding. In 2021, we secured a grant from the Rotary Club of Bali Seminyak (RCBS) and have since transformed the area.
Our Achievements with RCBS Support
The Desa Adat Office now employs these two individuals, ensuring sustainable trash management in Labuan Lalang.
VILLAGE PROJECT
PEJARAKAN VILLAGE
Pejarakan village has the largest populationof the four villages in our project area, with estimated 12,000 inhabitants and nine banjars. Part of the village is located within the National Park borders and buffer zones. Similar to Sumberklampok Village, Pejarakan lacked waste management infrastructure, relying instead on an illegal and unmanaged dumpsite. In 2018, our team began searching for suitable land for a waste management facility.
Partnering with the Community to Build Sustainable Solutions
Launching Pejarakan's Waste Management Initiative
In early 2019, our team secured funding from PUR Projet to launch a pilot project in Pejarakan Village. In collaboration with PUR Projet, we designed and built Rumah Pilah, a simple waste management facility, and provided vehicles (Viar) for household trash collection.
Pokdarwis Pejarakan, a community organization under the village focused on community development and tourism, was selected as our project partner. They were responsible for managing the trash sorting facility and collecting the waste. They employed five workers to handle trash collection, sorting, and management.
We created educational materials and trash bins from recycled tires and trained local women in vocational training skills. Meanwhile, Rumah Pilah staff began household trash collection and we provided each house in the project area with a pair of trash bins.
From Pilot to Permanence
From Pilot Project to Permanent Solution in Pejarakan
In September 2021, Pejarakan Village received government funding to open TPS3R, a village-level waste management facility. At that time, the village assumed responsibility for the Rumah Pilah sorting center and adopted our vocational training methods and sustainable waste management plan. In 2023, Rumah Pilah was closed as it had served its purpose as a temporary pilot project, demonstrating how to operate the facility, train staff, and implement a sustainable waste management system.
VILLAGE PROJECT
SUMBERKIMA VILLAGE
Sumberkima Village, home to estimated 10,000 residents, established its first waste management facility in 2014, but it remained unused until we got involved in 2022. Before that, the facility functioned only as a dumpsite, with no staff or systems in place for sorting or managing the waste.
Transforming a Dormant Facility Into a Community Asset
Revitalizing Sumberkima's Waste Management
In 2023, we officially partnered with the village and launched a pilot project in Banjar Taman Ayun, a key area of Sumberkima. With support from Sumberkima Hill Retreat, we upgraded the TPST Sumberkima facility under KSM Tirta Mandara, adding compost structures and essential equipment. The village hired five staff, and we provided training in waste sorting and composting.
After receiving a Rotary grant, we further renovated the facility. Now, waste is properly sorted, recyclables are sold to offtakers, and more customers are joining the collection service.
VILLAGE PROJECT
PEMUTERAN VILLAGE
This is the second most populated of the four villages we work with, home to 10,109 residents. Pemuteran is also the most touristic and well-known village in North West Bali.
Partnering for Long-Term Sustainability
Restoring Pemuteran’s Waste Systems
Pemuteran Village established a TPST waste management facility in 2017, but it remained largely non-operational due to poor planning and lack of staff training. Although our program's coordinator and founder offered her assistance in 2018 and 2019, the stakeholders chose to manage it independently, which proved unsuccessful.
In 2020, BUMDES Sari Nadi Pemuteran, which handles village financial transactions and projects, took over the facility’s operations.
When we presented our plan in 2022 to fully activate the facility, implement sustainable systems, and introduce training and education programs, they agreed to partner with us.
Restoring Waste Facilities
Rebuilding and Revitalizing for Lasting Impact
Since then, we have reorganized the facility, provided staff training, and supplied essential tools, while also repairing equipment purchased in 2017 that had never been used. Our collaboration with BUMDES Sari Nadi and the village has been a rewarding experience. After receiving the Rotary Global Grant, we built a roof and structure for the compost area at the TPST. We look forward to continuing our work with all four villages.
Empowering Villages for Sustainable Waste Solutions
Sustainable and financially interdependent Trash Sorting Facilities
Our ultimate goal, is to guide villages and sorting facilities in implementing our sustainable program throughout the entire community.
Our research shows that many village-level waste facilities in Bali are non-operational due to lack of staff training and the absence of a viable revenue model or plan for expanding services.
Our team works closely with village waste management teams to develop comprehensive plans for trash collection and secure sufficient revenue to cover operational costs.
Our Master Plan Proposes the Following
Villages can apply for government funds to build village-level waste management facilities, such as TPST or TPS3R, and to acquire essential equipment. To qualify, villages must:
Challenges and Issues
The long-term goal is to implement a sustainable trash collection system for every household in the villages, but several major challenges remain:
— 01
Many people lack education on responsible waste management, and some simply don't prioritize it.
— 02
Some claim they cannot afford the trash collection and management fee, which ranges from 10,000 to 30,000 IDR per month - roughly the cost of a pack of cigarettes, which averages 20,000 IDR in Bali.
— 03
Inconsistent trash collection in the past has caused some residents to lose trust in the system.
— 04
Not all households on a given road may agree to pay for trash collection, forcing collection teams to drive long distances for only a few customers, making it difficult to cover operational costs and manpower time.
The bottom line is that for trash facilities to be financially independent, all households and businesses must contribute to the waste management services. However, even with full participation, the facilities would still require significant resources, such as manpower and vehicles, to manage collections from all households, which can be costly.
Solution:
Implementing Collection Points for Trash and Recyclables
To enhance efficiency in waste management and reduce the need for extensive resources, we propose the establishment of collection points throughout the village. This system will significantly save time and manpower for the village trash collection team and decrease the number of vehicles required. Here’s how it will work:
— 01
Large Businesses and Hotels:
We will encourage larger businesses, such as hotels and resorts, to set up their own waste bin units. We recommend using our sustainable, animal-proof bin units to ensure the waste is managed effectively and responsibly.
— 02
Medium-Sized & Large Businesses:
These businesses should invest in their own bin units for easy access by their staff for waste collection or for the village collection team to pick up. This approach helps streamline the waste collection process and reduces the burden on village resources.
— 03
Organic Waste Management:
Organic material from households and small food stalls should not be placed in the bin units. Instead:
- Food scraps can be fed to domestic animals and pets.
- Garden leaves and branches should decompose naturally in the field.
- Our education team will provide guidance on composting for those interested.
— 04
Educational & Financial Aspects:
Our education team will promote the benefits of paying for trash management services. While we anticipate challenges in convincing households and businesses initially, we are confident that once the collection system demonstrates its efficiency and reliability, support will grow.
By implementing this system, we aim to streamline waste collection, reduce operational costs, and encourage a more sustainable approach to waste management.
OVERVIEW OF OUR PROJECT AREA
Since receiving the Rotary International Global Grant, our team has implemented crucial enhancements at the waste management facilities in the three villages we support.
Over the past two years of the Rotary project, we have made significant progress in vocational training and education through house-to-house and business-to-business initiatives. We have also developed a comprehensive trash collection plan in collaboration with the waste facilities staff. As a result, the facilities are expected to increase their revenue, which will support the expansion and sustainability of their waste collection services.
However, we currently lack the funds to cover the operational costs of house-to-house trash collection. We kindly request your assistance to help us address this gap.
