BHA Joins Global Tourism Plastic Initiative to Take on Plastic Pollution

Bali Hotels Association has become a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, led by the United Nations Environment Programme and World Tourism Organization, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative unites the tourism sector behind a common vision to address the root causes of plastic pollution. It enables businesses and governments to take concerted action, leading by example in the shift towards circularity in the use of plastics.

As a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, Bali Hotels Association commits to eliminate, innovate and circulate its use of plastics. Specifically, by 2025, Bali Hotels Association commits to Align plastic reduction strategies of member hotels with the Tri Hita Karana philosophy, promoting circularity through culturally rooted practices, support member hotels in identifying and engaging local suppliers offering sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics, promote the adoption of reuse models and circular solutions by providing guidance and technical support to members.

Besides that , encourage and facilitate community engagement through expanded Banjar Green Days and collaborative local initiatives, inspire guest participation by equipping member hotels with tools and messaging to promote shared responsibility in reducing plastic waste.

“Bali as a destination holds a unique aspect due to the Balinese Tri Hita Karana philosophy,” says John T G Nielsen, BHA Head of Sustainability.

According to him, it’s a holistic approach that guides how people, especially in Bali, live in harmony with the world around them. As much as 167 member hotels and resorts, representing more than 26,454 hotel rooms and nearly 31,897 employees, adopt Tri Hita Karana as a framework for sustainable operations, integrating spiritual, social, and environmental values.

“Our approach to sustainability is rooted in Tri Hita Karana, the Balinese philosophy of balance between people, planet, and spirit. It guides everything we do, from our sourcing practices to our community relationships and environmental stewardship. Because in Bali, true harmony isn’t something you say. It’s something you live, every day. This initiative also complements and reinforces the Bali Government’s Bali Waste Cleanup Movement, which launched in April,” he said.

BHA Chairman Franklyn Kocek said added, this initiative developed within the framework of the Sustainable Tourism Program of the One Planet network—a multi-stakeholder partnership to implement SDG 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative is led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Tourism Organization, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative aims to stop plastic from ending up as pollution while also reducing the amount of new plastic that needs to be produced. To realize this vision, tourism companies and destinations commit to eliminate the plastic items they don’t need, innovate so all plastics they do need are designed to be safely reused, recycled, or composted and circulate everything they use to keep it in the economy and out of the environment.

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative requires tourism organizations to make a set of concrete and actionable commitments by 2025, Eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and items by 2025, Take action to move from single-use to reuse models or reusable alternatives by 2025.

Beside that, engage the value chain to ensure 100% of plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable, increase the amount of recycled content across all plastic packaging and items used, collaborate and invest to improve plastic recycling and composting rates, report publicly and annually on progress toward these targets

Bali’s tourism sector has a unique opportunity to lead by example in the transition towards circularity in the use of plastics. By working together, businesses, associations, and local authorities can significantly reduce landfill waste, pollution, and emissions raise awareness among staff and guests, support suppliers in offering sustainable alternatives and strengthen local waste infrastructure.

These efforts not only help protect Bali’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, but also contribute to long-term community well-being and sustainable livelihoods. Now is the time for coordinated and determined action to combat plastic pollution and preserve the very landscapes, oceans, and wildlife that make Bali a world-renowned destination.