Bali’s Jembrana Regency Formally Welcomes Project STOP

Bali’s Jembrana Regency Formally Welcomes Project STOP and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste to Create a Comprehensive Waste Management System

Jembrana, Bali (11 Feb 2020) — The Jembrana Regency today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to welcome to the community Project STOP, an initiative dedicated to ending ocean plastic pollution by creating sustainable circular waste management systems in Southeast Asia. The Project STOP city partnership in Jembrana, on the northwest coast of Bali, is fully funded by the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, an organization dedicated to ending plastic waste in the environment by accelerating solutions, engaging communities and demonstrating helping end the flow of plastic waste into the environment.

“The government of Jembrana welcomes Project STOP to our community, and to work with us in bringing waste management services to our residents and businesses, and socialization to the community, including schools,” said I Made Kembang Hartawan, Vice Regent of Jembrana. “Working with environment ambassadors and religious leaders, we will encourage behaviour change in sorting waste which will be supported by the local government.”

The Alliance’s collaboration with Project STOP will support capital and start-up expenses, along with technical waste management expertise. Since commencing work in Jembrana, the Project STOP team is already working closely with members of the community including the local government to build a strong foundation for its work and have completed baseline studies mapping current social and waste-related conditions.

The MoU was signed by the Regency of Jembrana and SYSTEMIQ, which co-founded Project STOP along with Borealis in 2017. The celebration was attended by more than 150 guests.

“The commitment of the Jembrana government and community is essential to Project STOP’s mission to create a waste management system that keeps plastic out of the environment, and also creates economic opportunities for residents,” said Joi Danielson, Program Director for Project STOP and a Partner at SYSTEMIQ. “It is through our close collaboration with the Regency, with the support of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, that we can work together for a waste-free Bali.”

A recent study shows the island leaks 33,000 tons of plastic into the ocean every year. A major challenge is the lack of appropriate waste management services to keep households and businesses from open burning or dumping waste into the environment. Through this program, Jembrana is leading by example, showcasing how to eliminate the issue of plastic in the environment.

“Our collaboration with Project STOP is a critical part of the Alliance’s strategy to help keep plastic waste out of the environment and contribute to a circular economy for plastics,” said Jacob Duer, President and CEO, Alliance to End Plastic Waste. “At the centre of out engagement in Jembrana is the community. Our success will depend on building a partnership with every household and local decision-makers. We’re grateful to be working with the Regency of Jembrana to achieve a shared vision of a plastic waste-free ocean.”

“Borealis is committed to stopping the leakage of plastics into the environment,” comments Alfred Stern, Borealis CEO. “Plastic is a valuable material that should not be wasted, but recycled and re-used. As co-founders of Project STOP we are pleased to see the programme advancing so quickly and are proud to collaborate with the Alliance to End Plastic Waste to implement sustainable waste management practices to this part of Bali. We feel honoured that I Made Kembang Hartawan, Vice Regent of Jembrana, has agreed to run this programme in Jembrana.”

Launched in 2017, Project STOP is an initiative co-founded by Borealis and SYSTEMIQ that designs, implements, and scales circular economy solutions to prevent plastic pollution in Southeast Asia. Working with companies, local governments and community groups, Project STOP supports cities with technical expertise to achieve zero leakage of waste, improve circular economy systems create new jobs in waste management, and reduce the harmful impact of mismanaged waste on public health, tourism and fisheries. Project STOP’s long-term ambition is to establish new solutions and models that can be rapidly scaled-up across the whole plastics chain, from the uses of plastic through to waste collection and recycling, in areas where the need to improve the management of plastic waste.

The Alliance-funded city partnership in Jembrana is Project STOP’s first city partnership on the island of Bali. The project is designed to be economically self-sufficient within three years, so the system can be operated by the local municipality and community, both of which will be closely involved throughout the project.