Trash Hero Indonesia | Trash Hero World

Trash Hero Saba Teaching the Heroes of Tomorrow Through Illustration

by Leslie Finlay on 17/04/2018 No comments

Experts have agreed for years that kids learn material differently than adults, and they also insist that how a child is educated bears great impact on his or her understanding of the world, shaping behaviours that will stay with a person throughout his or her life.

Trash Hero Saba has been working to fully engage its hero children from the classroom to the beaches.

In Saba, Indonesia, the local Trash Heroes have launched an innovative new program aimed at educating the local kids about how to responsibly manage trash in their communities, especially plastic waste, driving an overall message of zero-waste living.

Wayan Aksara’s team has developed a series of comic-style cartoons they release online, free for download and use. Wayan says that the comics are designed as supplementary materials for parents and elementary school teachers as a way to instill lifelong sustainable behaviours among the next generation of heroes in a more fun and interesting way.

Wayan Aksara says that new original comics created by his team will be posted on the group’s Facebook page, available for free to parents and educators alike.

Check out the Trash Hero Saba Facebook page and its partner BALIAN to follow the comic creations from the team, and let us know what creative, innovative ways your local community engages its heroes!

Trash Hero Expands to 52 Chapters Globally

by Leslie Finlay on 22/02/2018 No comments

It’s true that not all heroes wear capes. In fact, many of them wear yellow – more than 63,000 of them to be exact!

Until the end of 2017, 52 Trash Hero chapters around the world rallied 63,098 volunteers who removed more than 408,137 kilograms of waste from our beaches, waterways, and communities. Reports estimate that most of this debris would inevitably find its way to the ocean, where it accumulates en masse and is much more difficult to remove from the environment. Much of this waste our heroes removed is plastic, which scientists agree never truly degrades but fragments into smaller and smaller bits, sustaining within the world’s ecosystems for thousands of years. Plastic of any size can be ingested by wildlife, killing the animal or cycling chemicals into the food chain.

That’s why our Trash Heroes didn’t stop at participating in 2,459 cleanups, but made active efforts to live a more sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle that eliminates trash from entering the ecosystem in the first place. More than 44,900 reusable water bottles were sold at over 256 participating businesses, saving an estimated 16-million single-use plastic bottles; 5,400 Trash Hero reusable bags were also sold, reducing single-use plastic bag use by at least 540,000 by some estimates.

Our heroes also spoke at three TEDx Talks around the world, relaying their own stories about the impact of waste in their communities and the importance of moving toward a waste-free lifestyle. Trash Hero is committed to active waste management and removal, but our mission encompasses the importance of education – spreading the attitude of sustainability. In fact, about 14,206 of our heroes in 2017 were kids, whose involvement is an enormous bright spot and the key to a cleaner future.

Talking trash in Yangon | Phone Kyaw Moe Myint | TEDxYangon

All in all, 2017 was an exciting year for us! Will you be joining the yellow-shirted heroes this year? Get in touch to find out how!

A breakdown of our 2017 numbers:

52 active chapters in 9 countries – Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, USA, Czech Republic, Switzerland, China, Singapore
63,098 heroes attended 2,459 cleanups, removing 208,137 kilograms of trash from the environment
14,206 of those heroes were kids
44,900 reusable bottles were sold at 256 participating businesses – this means that more than 16 million plastic bottles were not produced
5,400 Trash Hero reusable bags were sold, keeping 540,000 single-use plastic bags out of the environment
Speakers at 3 TEDx Talks spread the philosophy of sustainability and zero-waste to their communities at large

THANK YOU to all of our incredible heroes, and we hope to see you in 2018!

Trash Hero Indonesia Joins Zero Waste Indonesia 2020 Movement at National Jamboree

by Leslie Finlay on 19/01/2018 No comments

Last November, Greeneration Indonesia hosted the 4th annual National Zero Waste Jamboree 2017 in Banda Aceh. By participating in this jamboree, Trash Hero Indonesia is now listed as national movement that is supported by the Indonesian government.

“We are citizens of countries, but we are also citizens of the world,” said Trash Hero Rima Agustina, reflecting on the message of unity at the event. “Waste is not only a regional or national problem, but also world problem, as waste doesn’t recognize any political borders. Trash Hero Indonesia introduces the concept of collaboration between local people, local government, and volunteers from all over the world to create a better environment.”

Focus group discussion at the National Zero Waste Jamboree 2017 in Banda Aceh.

The event was held November 10-12 in coordination with Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of Maritime Affair and Fisheries, Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Public Works and Housing, and Ministry of Health of Indonesia. The 289 zero waste activists all over Indonesia gathered to share news and experience, and meet with government representatives. The event facilitated momentum of important stakeholders in the country to network and to collaborate to find sustainable solutions of waste problems in Indonesia.

At the end of the jamboree, all the participants read out loud The Declaration of Zero Waste Indonesia 2020:

“As an effort to provide the better environment for the future generations, we, Indonesian citizens determine to realize the target of Zero Waste Indonesia 2020.

Together we are ready to:

Reduce, separate, and put the waste in the proper place.
Responsibly manage our own waste.
Actively participate in waste management activities held by Indonesian government.”

To complete the trip Trash Hero Indonesia conducted a clean up at Lampu Ulee Kareng Beach, Banda Aceh, a day after the jamboree finished. Some new heroes came to participate and share some fun time at the beach and learned more about the Trash Hero movement. This kind of curiosity and collaboration is how new chapters are born!

Clean up at Lampu Ulee Kareng Beach, Banda Aceh – one of the places hit by the tsunami in 2004.

The Trash Hero Kids Book: On to Phase 2!

by Leslie Finlay on 08/12/2017 No comments

With your generous support, we have made it through the first stage of our project! Reaching the 8000 euro target means we can now CONFIRM that the Trash Hero Kids book will be printed, distributed and taught to kids in Thailand and Indonesia.

Now we aim to extend the project’s impact to include even more kids! Since starting the project, we have had interest from our teams in Myanmar and Malaysia to create local language versions of the project, as well as requests for more books in Thailand.

We still have a few more days to take this project even further. So let’s keep this momentum and continue to raise funds so your contribution has even more impact!

The Trash Hero Kids Book is a story and activity book with a powerful call to take action on plastic waste in the environment. Children will be inspired and challenged to change their behaviour, and receive incentives like the coveted Trash Hero T-shirt as a reward.

The book and shirt package will be distributed free to children in Southeast Asia, where plastic pollution is reaching critical proportions. Awareness of the issue in Southeast Asia remains low, and education is limited or not put into practice. Children are taught “don’t litter” at school, but don’t seem to make any connection between these words and their everyday habits. The real life consequences of plastic leakage are rarely explored; and there are no positive role models or clear paths to drive behaviour change.

The labour and skills overheads for this project – like all Trash Hero projects – is ZERO. Our dedicated volunteers have already prepared the book and its translations; and more volunteers in our local chapters stand ready to oversee the distribution and activities.
That means that every single Euro you donate will be spent on creating the physical products to put into the hands of children.

Contributions can be made at either of these sites:

https://www.100-days.net/…/projekt/trashhero-children-s-bookor https://www.paypal.me/TrashHeroWorld

Help us make our holiday dreams come true and reach even more kids!

Trash Heroes Join the International Coastal Cleanup

by Leslie Finlay on 18/09/2017 2 comments

This weekend was the International Coastal Cleanup, a global event organized by the Ocean Conservancy, and millions of volunteers worldwide took to the oceans and coastlines to remove waste.

According to the Ocean Conservancy, plastic has been found in 62% of all sea birds and 100% of sea turtle species. The organization records what types of trash are removed from the oceans to help guide awareness.

The top items collected globally are:

Source: The Ocean Conservancy

This year volunteers also found four drones, 56 toilets, eight microwaves, five selfie-sticks, and a piano.

Trash Heroes around the world were out this weekend, as they are every week, making big changes in their communities.

Trash Heroes in Borneo joining the International Coastal Cleanup on a camping cleanup trip

Trash Hero Kertalangu joined a cleanup event called AKSOMA at Biaung Beach in Indonesia removing more than 100kg of trash with community leaders, students of all ages, and the Indonesian National Army.
Trash Hero Bangkok hauled out their paddleboards to clean Khlong Bang Phli (Taco Lake,) removing 80 kilograms.
Trash Hero Borneo joined the International Coastal Cleanup for a two-day camping trip as part of the largest coastal clean up in Sabah. Volunteers gathered along Simpang Mengayau collecting waste along beaches spanning 8 villages.

Paddleboard cleanups in Bangkok.

Did your community participate in the International Coastal Cleanup? Let us know! We want to hear your stories and successes!

It Only Takes One Hero to Make an Impact – From Bali Beaches & Beyond

by Leslie Finlay on 29/08/2017 No comments

Esther Thomet recently attended the National Geographic Student Expedition, a student travel program run through various locations around the world that aims to inspire and educate middle school and high school students.

While in Tulamben in Northeastern Bali, a representative from Trash Hero introduced the student group to the organization before they took to the beaches to help clean alongside local Balinese children. During the presentation, Esther said that the group was shown video of a sea turtle with a straw up its nose.

“I cried because it was devastating to watch the harmful human influence on nature,” she said. “I knew then that I wanted to help.”

While she participated locally, the spirit of Trash Hero instilled within Esther long after her trip. She said that the strongest part of Trash Hero’s message is not only that they actively clean and conserve, but they are teaching others in the process.

“From a single beach cleanup and small lesson I learned what kinds of plastics to look out for and where they are commonly hidden, how to help prevent the use of plastics in everyday activities, and what affects we will have on the ocean, and world in general, if we continue to use plastic at this rate,” she said.

Education of this sort is lasting and far-reaching, and inspires others, like Esther, that they can make a difference.

“I wanted to go home and fundraise because I was very inspired by the thought that someone like me could make an impact,” Esther said. “I wanted to spread Trash Hero’s message to my friends and family.”

Returning home, Esther coordinated donations totaling $500 for Trash Hero World, in the process living up to Trash Hero’s message of education and inspiration, eager to share what she had learned with others and incorporate changes into her everyday life.

“The trip mainly changed the way I view the world,” Esther said. “I am very conscious about how much trash I am producing, how to limit my trash production, and how to make others aware about how they can get involved and help as well.”

Collaboration and togetherness are the clear keys to transformative progress. For other aspiring heroes, Esther believes that by remembering the reasons for why we work for a passion, we can achieve anything.

“I once had a teacher who told me that it doesn’t matter what career or life path I choose, as long as I do so with pride, dedication, and hope for the future,” she said.

12 Million Plastic Bottles Saved… and Counting

by Leslie Finlay on 17/08/2017 No comments

As Trash Hero aims to change the behaviors that lead to unsustainable waste production, we strive to enable individuals and communities with the tools to do so.

Many regions of the world, particularly in Southeast Asia, have experienced a rapid growth of tourism that has left the capacity of local trash management far behind. The “Love Thailand” water bottles are just one tool available to curb unsustainable production of plastic bottles that will never break down fully in our environment. The program has been steadily growing since December 2014, first launched by the communities of Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta and Chaing Mai. Today, 14 locations in Thailand distribute the bottles.

Sold at cost price at cleanups, hotels and restaurants, distributors make a commitment to provide refilling stations where the Trash Hero bottles can be filled without charge. As of the end of July 2017, 33,000 bottles had been sold at 181 participating businesses throughout Thailand. This equates to more than 12 million plastic bottles that were not produced.

The success in Thailand spurred Trash Hero Indonesia’s interest to also supply the reusable bottles. The first order of 2,000 “Love Indonesia” Trash Hero bottles began distribution earlier this year.

Find out where you can get your own Trash Hero reusable bottle or how to become a participating business.

Collaboration Drives Huge Results for Trash Hero Kertalangu

by Leslie Finlay on 11/08/2017 1 comment

Putu Evie Suyadnyani is the co-founder of Trash Hero Kertalangu, a chapter of Trash Hero Indonesia. Evie and her husband have spent more than a decade dedicated to living responsibly and reducing plastic waste. Originally from Denpasar, Evie grew up on the beaches of Sanur and is acutely aware of the environmental problems of the area. She and her family decided to make some positive changes to their village.

“Over the past 13 years I have prepared myself to be a person and also to have family who can be role models for others,” Evie said. “We are very disciplined about our plastic diet: reduce, reuse and recycle is a must in our house, and we have even encouraged our extended family and staff do so too. Just one year ago, there has been a change of the village head, and he has taken notice of our family and our message. One month ago, Wayan Aksara with his local movement inspired us to create a new Trash Hero chapter in our area that we have called Trash Hero Kertalangu.”

Wayan Aksara is the leader of Trash Hero Saba, another Indonesian chapter began this year that has removed 1680 kilograms of trash with more than 1,000 volunteers since January.

Trash Hero Kertalangu was founded with incredible success. The community’s first cleanup was a joint, collaborative event with the Denpasar government offices and more than 1,200 people participated, including many children.

“I think that a good government program can be successful when there are people from the community involved.” Evie said. “Our Trash Hero in Kertalangu is made up of the people and the community of Kertalangu. Many people have warned us how difficult it can be if we involve the government, but I really want to prove that this is not true.”

She said that there are actually a lot of benefits for Trash Hero when working together with a governmental branch, such as the village office.

“We are very lucky we have such supportive village head. I got the village office secretary to be our coordinator between the village office staff and the community since he already has the communication base for that,” she said. “I also asked him to help to coordinate the trash pick-up. My duty is to make sure they do it in the right way, for example making sure that every cleanup participant is focused on picking up plastic trash, making sure that the rubbish ends up in the right place to be managed well and not to be burned or disposed of in an irresponsible manner. There are education opportunities that come with this cooperation. I think it is going to be a good corporation between us Trash Hero Kertalangu and the village office of Kesiman Kertalangu.”

The inaugural cleanup was attended by more than eight schools, each school represented by 20 or more students. Eleven community centres and their community chiefs, youth groups, village office staff, local police officers and local companies all also attended alongside Trash Hero staff and volunteers.

“My jaw nearly dropped and at the same time I felt a bit nervous,” Evie said in reaction to the huge turnout for the cleanup. “At the beginning of the event everything was so formal and I never thought I would have the opportunity to talk to that many people, but I got the chance to introduce Trash Hero very well and spread the message about how important it is to pick up every single piece of plastic that they see, even the small pieces. Managing that many people to do a cleanup is super hard, but I am glad that the government also works with a trash bank and that I have a great team to help.”

Evie has big plans for Trash Hero Kertalangu. She said that working with the village office she wants to help educate local residents to not litter and know how to separate their trash for the trash bank that she helped arrange. She also said that they plan to launch education initiatives to teach locals how to compost, reduce their trash and reuse and recycle instead of resorting to burning.

“One of our main aims is that there is no more trash burning in our area (or anywhere in Bali!) because it is very dangerous for residents’ health and it is annoying for residents and their families,” she said.

Above all, Evie believes in small, steady changes on a local level that can have far-reaching impact. For this, communication and collaboration is imperative.

“To really make a change that includes changing habits and mindsets, it is really important to have a local leader that you can work with and trust so that these changes can be made quicker at a local and community level. Any positive change can be achieved if there is a solution provided for the community that people feel is a benefit for them. “Together we can!”

Update: Trash Hero Indonesia Accomplishments

by Leslie Finlay on 04/08/2017 2 comments

As we make our way through another successful summer, we want to pause to acknowledge some of the achievements and collaborations that have contributed to such a robust year to date.

Trash Hero Indonesia is stronger than ever – and still growing! In May 2015, Gili Meno and its 172 heroes collected 1,000 kg of trash, kicking off Indonesia’s involvement with Trash Hero. By May 2016, participation had ballooned to seven chapters. This May 2017, 10 chapters represented 8,000 heroes, together collecting more than 50,000 kg of trash. Active chapters include Ubud, Amed, Gili Meno, Lombok (Tanjung), Sanur, Komodo, Saba, Bandung, Jimbaran, and Candidasa.

Last year Trash Hero partners Bye Bye Plastic Bags and Ecobricks visited to discuss future collaborations, and this past May representatives from Indonesia’s 10 active chapters met to put plans into action. Bye Bye Plastic Bags could reach a general ban of plastic bags on Bali as early as 2018, and many chapters have demonstrated the efficacy of Ecobricks already.

Ecobricks on Gili Meno. Photograph Adina Malveklint

Other current projects in Indonesia include the promotion of Trash Hero @Work, a program launched in December 2016 through which companies ban plastic water bottles in the workplace and provide free water to employees, and the importance of up-cycling. Many local heroes also demonstrated huge amounts of creativity making items out of recycled materials – from speakers to chairs, beanbags to entire homes. There are even plans to release a Trash Hero children’s book, written in Bahasa for local children about marine life eating garbage. The project is in partnership with Green-Books, an environmental NGO promoting ecological literacy to children.

Trash Hero on Gili Meno. Photo Adina Malveklint

Trash Heroes on Gili Meno

by Leslie Finlay on 27/06/2017 No comments

GILI MENO, INDONESIA: MAY 2017- One Trash Hero was visiting Gili Meno in Lombok, Indonesia, and encountered a cleanup underway.

“If this is an indication of what Trash Hero can do, the world is in good shape.”

The group of volunteers attracted attention from tourists, as well.

“I saw at least a couple of tourists who spontaneously joined in by throwing something in one of the sacks. Later in the evening I met a couple of newly-weds from Britain. They had seen the group – pretty hard to miss! – and thought it was a good way to also meet people. The couple had been on the island all day and hadn’t spoken to anyone else than each other, as people (many couples) seemed mostly in to each other. This would be a good thing to start in the UK, they said.”

The weekly cleanup attracts many locals and their children, as well. Educating children on a waste-free way of life early on is a tremendously important part of Trash Hero’s mission.

“One man on the walk came every week for the clean-up from neighboring island Lombok. And the group of kids did this every Sunday, on their one day off from school.”

Local residents understand the value of up-cycling as well. Adina came across a man who has constructed a garden wall out of 9,000 plastic bottles, all filled with soft plastic of different colors.

“The house owner even wants to make bungalows with this, for tourists to stay in. Garbage turned into a tourist attraction! He looked very pleased when I told him plastic doesn’t break down for 200 years.”

Keep up the great work, heroes of Gili Meno!