On March 21, 2024, CTC facilitated a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing for waste management in Batununggul village between BUMDES (village-owned enterprise) and Lembongan Recycling. It marks a crucial step in addressing the pressing waste management issue in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area (MPA), specifically  with plastic waste.

The MoU signifies a commitment from both Batununggul Village and Lembongan Recycling to collaborate closely on waste management initiatives within the MPA. Under the agreement, Bank Sampah Batununggul will involve women and youth groups from the village in sorting the plastic waste, while Lembongan Recycling will purchase it from them. The collected plastic waste will be recorded in the Buku Tabungan Bank Sampah (waste bank book) distributed during the event.

The MoU signing event was attended by 47 participants including the CTC team, the Management Unit of Bali MPA (UPTD KKP Bali), Nusa Penida Sub District, and both representatives from Batununggul Village and Lembongan Recycle. The agreement is one of the milestones achieved in the journey towards environmental sustainability in Batununggul Village. 

“We hope that the signing of the MoU with Lembongan Recycle facilitated by CTC will help address waste issues in Batununggul Village. It will continue the program that we started in 2020 and despite many challenges,” said I Ketut Sulastra, Head of Batununggul Village.

Led by CTC Nusa Penida Project Leader Evi Ihsan, the agreement between Batununggul Village and Lembongan Recycle focuses on waste management and aims to empower women and youth groups in the village. This MOU facilitated plastic waste collection activities, supported by the ‘Bank Sampah’ (Waste Bank) program managed by women’s groups and school children. These efforts promote economic empowerment, environmental conservation, and community involvement, thereby contributing to the comprehensive sustainable management of the Nusa Penida MPA. This initiative also seeks to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the environmental resources in Nusa Penida MPA.

“We try to strengthen and rejuvenate the Bank Sampah program in Batununggul village by connecting the BUMDES to the buyer. In this context, the Lembongan Recycling. We hope this initiative will help reduce the problem in Nusa Penida MPA with so much plastic waste and raise awareness among the local people, especially the young people,” said Evi Ihsan.

The establishment of the MoU between Batununggul Village and Lembongan Recycling signifies a proactive step toward addressing the issue of plastic pollution within the Nusa Penida MPA. CTC is committed to supporting waste management efforts to mitigate the impacts of plastic threats on marine ecosystem within the MPA . By utilizing the strengths and resources from both actors, such innovative solutions will effectively undertake complex challenges regarding plastic pollution now and in the future.

Writers: Adam Putra, Wira Sanjaya, Evi Ihsan, Tabitha Rudang, Cikal Qalnar
Photos: Tabitha Rudang/CTC