Marriott International continues its commitment to fostering positive and sustainable change, guided by the company’s 2025 Sustainability and Social Impact Goals, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Marriott Business Council Indonesia, Bali NextGen Business Council, Sungai Watch representatives, and members of the local community joined hands for a cleanup activity at Baturiti Area, Tabanan, Bali on March 15, 2024. This concerted effort aims to address plastic pollution in one of the island’s most contaminated forest, which poses a threat to the nearby Beratan Lake.
Marriott Business Council Indonesia & Sungai Watch Cleanup: Addressing Plastic Pollution in Baturiti, North Bali
A total of more than 110 participants actively contributed to the cleanup, resulting in the removal of over 8 tons of plastic waste. This cleanup underscores the urgent need for collective action to combat pollution and preserve Bali's natural beauty.
This Big Clean Up project is just one of the many initiatives built upon the longstanding partnership between Marriott Business Council Bali and Sungai Watch. Since its inception, the collaboration has led to Marriott International sponsoring the operations of the first-ever Sungai Watch Waste Sorting Facility in Singaraja and the installation of 15river barriers in some of the most polluted rivers in North Bali on May 15, 2023.
Since this facility's operation and 54 river cleanups organized throughout 2023 in total, Marriott International has removed nearly 26.5 tons of plastic waste from the rivers, preventing them from entering the ocean.
Martin Ehlers, General Manager of Renaissance Bali Uluwatu and Chairman of Marriott Business Council Indonesia, emphasized the importance of partnership in environmental stewardship, stating, "Today's cleanup exemplifies Marriott International's Serve360 commitment, to bring positive impact to the community where we do our business, through sustainability initiatives and collaboration with Sungai Watch. Together, we are working towards a cleaner, healthier environment for all."
Observing the positive impact the Waste Sorting Facility has brought to the community in Singaraja, on this occasion, Marriott Business Council Indonesia today announces its commitment to continue supporting the Singaraja facility's operation for another year. Furthermore, Marriott Business Council Indonesia plans to support the operation of the second Sungai Watch Facility slated to open in Q4 2024 in Bekasi, West Java. Funding will be provided through Marriott International's biggest annual fundraising efforts – the annual Marriott Charity Golf Indonesia in June & July 2024 and Road to Give Indonesia 2024 later this year.
"Sungai Watch is thrilled to be working with Marriott International in our ongoing mission to clean Indonesia's rivers and prevent plastic pollution from reaching our oceans. Our collaboration has already yielded remarkable results in North Bail and this cleanup in Baturiti is yet another successful action with the removal of 8 tons of waste from the region. We look forward to the ongoing impact we are making with Marriott International in Indonesia,” says Sam Bencheghib, the Co-Founder of Sungai Watch.
For more information on Marriott International's community empowerment initiatives, visit Serve360.marriott.com.