On 17 July 2026, a collaborative beach cleanup was carried out at Kelan Beach as part of a broader coastal restoration initiative. The activity was organized in partnership with SD 3 Tuban and engaged 20 students, who actively contributed to efforts aimed at improving the condition of the coastal environment. The program also involved students from Bali WISE, as well as volunteers and staff members from the R.O.L.E. Foundation. During the cleanup, participants collected a total of 237.46 kilograms of non-organic waste within a relatively short period. All collected waste was transported to the ZeroWaste Center, where it underwent proper sorting and responsible waste management. The R.O.L.E. Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to Club Ocean for its generous support in making this initiative possible and for its continued commitment to environmental conservation, particularly in addressing the issue of marine pollution. Beyond the removal of coastal waste, the initiative sought to increase public awareness of the environmental impacts of marine debris while fostering greater community engagement in the protection, conservation, and long-term sustainability of marine and coastal ecosystems.

Location and Condition of the Beach

Kelan Beach, located in South Kuta, Bali, is a well-known coastal destination recognized for its scenic sunsets and popularity among families, local residents, and tourists. Its strategic location near Ngurah Rai International Airport makes the beach easily accessible, resulting in a consistently high number of visitors. Despite its popularity, Kelan Beach faces ongoing challenges related to waste management. Increased visitor activity has contributed to the accumulation of litter, primarily due to improper waste disposal practices and limited post-visit cleanup by beach users. A recent site assessment conducted by the R.O.L.E. Foundation identified a significant presence of marine and coastal debris along the shoreline. Discussions with local fishermen further indicated that while government-appointed cleaning crews occasionally conduct cleanup activities, these efforts are relatively infrequent and insufficient to address the volume of waste generated. In addition, the limited availability of waste disposal facilities remains a concern, particularly given the high daily visitor numbers. In response to these findings, Kelan Beach was selected as the focus location for this month’s beach cleanup initiative.

Waste Collection and Separation

During the beach cleanup at Kelan Beach, a total of 237.46 kilograms of non-organic waste was collected. More than half of the total consisted of residue, comprising materials that were damaged, contaminated, or unsuitable for recycling. Hard plastics accounted for over 13% of the waste collected, while more than 50 kilograms of glass bottles were recovered for cleaning, sorting, and recycling at the ZeroWaste Center or partner facilities. Used footwear represented approximately 3% of the total waste. The composition of the collected waste highlights the ongoing challenge of marine pollution at Kelan Beach and reinforces the need for continued cleanup initiatives, improved waste management, and greater public awareness.

Play a ROLE!

Want to protect the views you love? We’d love to have you at our next cleanup! Jump on over to the ZeroWaste Center Cleanup Program by R.O.L.E. Foundation to see how you can get involved. Let’s keep Bali’s waters blue and its sunsets golden!