On 22 January 2026, a joint beach cleanup took place at Kelan Beach as part of a broader coastal restoration program. The activity was organized in collaboration with Bale Udang and engaged more than 35 participants, all contributing actively to the rehabilitation of the coastal area. In a relatively short time, the team collected 359.15 kilograms of non-organic waste, which was then transported to the ZeroWaste Center for appropriate sorting and disposal. We express our sincere gratitude to Bale Udang for their essential support in making this initiative possible and for their continued dedication to environmental stewardship, particularly in tackling marine pollution. Beyond waste removal, the initiative also sought to increase public awareness of the consequences of marine debris and to inspire wider community involvement in protecting and preserving ocean ecosystems.
Location and Condition of the Beach
Kelan Beach in South Kuta, Bali, is widely recognized for its sunset views and its popularity among families and group visitors. Its attractive scenery, combined with its close proximity to Ngurah Rai International Airport, makes the beach highly accessible and consistently busy. However, the steady rise in visitor numbers has led to a noticeable increase in waste accumulation, largely driven by improper disposal practices and insufficient cleanup efforts by beach users.
A recent field survey we conducted confirmed that pollution levels at the site are significant. Local fishermen noted that while government-assigned cleaning teams do conduct maintenance, these cleanups are sporadic and not frequent enough to address the ongoing waste problem. The situation is further compounded by the limited availability of waste disposal facilities, despite the beach receiving a high volume of daily visitors.
In response to these challenges, Kelan Beach has been chosen as the focus of this month’s cleanup initiative. The program seeks to set a positive example and motivate greater community involvement in environmental stewardship, with the long-term goal of supporting a cleaner, more sustainable coastal ecosystem for future generations.
Waste Collection and Separation
The recent cleanup at Kelan Beach resulted in the collection of 359.15 kilograms of non-organic waste. More than half of the total consisted of residual waste—materials that were damaged, fragmented, or otherwise unsuitable for recycling. Hard plastics, such as bottles, cups, cutlery, and styrofoam, made up over 10% of the collected volume. In addition, the activity yielded more than 20 kilograms of glass bottles, which will undergo cleaning and sorting prior to recycling at the Zero Waste Center. Some of these bottles will be transferred to larger waste management facilities or partner organizations for further treatment. Used footwear, including shoes and slippers, accounted for roughly 13% of the total waste gathered. The diversity and volume of debris recovered during the cleanup underscore the persistent challenge of marine pollution affecting the Kelan Beach area.
Play a ROLE!
You can support our next beach cleanup and be part of the waste solution in Bali! Reach out to us now via email to capbuild@rolefoundation.org or WhatsApp at +62 812-4686-3648!
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