The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) began in 1986, catalyzed by two committed individuals, Linda Maraniss and Kathy O’Hara. They planned the first ocean conservancy’s clean up by reaching out general land office, local business and other ocean lovers. Today, there is more than 100 countries that participate in this program each year.
According to Bali Hotels Association, the ICC held and took place in many different places which are Menjangan Island, Tabanan, Canggu Berawa, Seminyak, Kuta, Sanur, Ubud , Legian, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa, Karangasem, Klungkung, and Lembongan Island. This program has main purpose to educate and bring awareness to the employee on the importance of conserving the environment, principally to support Bali as the most popular tourism destinations in Indonesia.
There are six beaches along coastline in Canggu. Finns Beach Club stands as the principle coordinator of ICC in all Canggu area, and Ametis Villa is coordinator of Nelayan, Batu Bolong and Batu Mejan beach.
On last Saturday, 21st September 2019, ICC annual event was successfully conducted at beaches around Bali. At our cleanup site(3 beaches), total 218 volunteers from 22 companies and organizations* has participated, including local village authority such as Klian Adat (Chief of tradition), Klian Dinas Canggu (Chief assistant of governmental administration in Canggu village), Perbekel Canggu Village (Governmental administration in Canggu Village), North Kuta subdistrict Head, and Jaga Baya Canggu (Canggu village security) who encouraged participants. Ametis Villa has provided meal, snacks, water and biodegradable waste bag to volunteers.
At the end of the cleanup event, trash was separated into each category. From the data, total collected non-organic trash was 12.4kg, which was decreased at 8.6kg against last year 21kg. It shows that the international coastal cleanup has successfully brought awareness to everyone to maintain the cleanliness of beaches. Furthermore, prohibition of single plastic bag usage by the local government really helps reducing the number of plastic waste in Bali.
* Special thanks to:
Aston Canggu Beach Resort, Hotel Tugu Bali, Old Man’s, The Slow, La Calita Bar y Cocina, The Kirana Hotel, Betelnut Café, Monsieur Spoon, Eastin Astha Resort, Seka Truna Truni Wira Bhuwana(Youth Club Canggu), Jaga Baya Canggu, Fat Mermaid, Mojo Surf, D’Jabu Villas, La Baracca, X – Bar, & FRII Hotel