Time to clean up our Act

“Don't let nature go to waste” - Unknown

According to a 2015 report by Science journal, Indonesia was the world’s second-largest polluter of plastic marine waste in the world, just behind China. More than 273 million people call Indonesia home and it is said nearly 15% of all plastic waste in the oceans come from Indonesia

Just last Saturday, Australians and many citizens across the globe were involved in cleaning up our beaches, parks, streets and neighbourhoods as part of Clean Up Day.

Everyone even the young can be involved to do their bit to Clean up their Act and inspire others around them to do more for the oceans and environment.

In 2013, at just 10 and 12 years of age, Balinese kids Melati and Isabel Wijsen respectively started a social initiative called Bye Bye Plastic Bags. They started the initiative after being inspired by a lesson in school about significant people, like Nelson Mandela, Lady Diana, and Mahatma Ghandi.

The primary goal of this new social program was for Bali residents to say NO to plastic bags. It has now grown into a well known international movement of inspiration, youth empowerment, and of course, saying NO to plastic bags.

Their advocacy work has resulted in reduced plastic use in 15 different countries. Bali is officially plastic bag free, and Indonesia will be by 2021.

Read their full story at ByeBye Plastic

All images for this post have been sourced from ByeByePlastic and Unsplash