Bali has banned all single-use plastic

In an effort to cut down marine pollution.

A total ban on single-use plastics is now in effect in Bali, prohibiting the distribution of plastic bags, straws and Styrofoam.

The ban was announced back in December of last year, with a six-month ‘warming up’ period that ended late last month.

Indonesia’s foremost tourist destination has been battling a serious pollution problem for decades now, with waste disposal services unable to deal with the sheer amount of single-use plastics being thrown away.

As a result, beaches are often crowded with large amounts of washed-up waste.

Organisations like Bye Bye Plastic Bags have been integral in campaigning for this ban. The group’s teen founders, sisters Isabel and Melati Wijsen, have made waves through education programs, Ted Talks, and meetings with politicians. The environmental push gained global momentum last year when a travel vlogger shared an aerial photo of his partner lounging on a Bali beach surrounded by plastic waste.

With the ban now in full effect, the Indonesian government hopes to cut down marine plastic pollution by at least 70 per cent in the next few years.