CNN Hero's offer of rice inspired people in Bali to collect tons of plastic for recycling

"I got to thinking, inside the challenge there is an opportunity," he stated.

So, he began a program the place native villagers might trade plastic for rice -- a barter system that may profit the setting and empower the native people. Residents can flip in plastic trash they collected in trade for a essential meals staple.

"I thought to myself, if it works in my village, it will work in other places as well," Yasa stated. "I realized this thing was getting bigger than I had ever imagined."

The program brings collectively native neighborhood teams known as Banjars that collect plastic from their houses, streets, rivers, seashores and surrounding areas.

Villages maintain neighborhood trade occasions as soon as a month in which residents can carry in plastic to commerce in for rice. Yasa says the group has to date helped feed hundreds of households and picked up almost 300 tons of plastic for recycling.

"Teenagers come with a smile. Elderly people are there. Young kids come with their mothers. That's what keeps me going, to see them all excited about it," Yasa stated. "They were feeling powerless, and this gives them hope."

CNN: In what methods did the pandemic influence people's livelihood in Bali?

Made Janur Yasa: When the pandemic hit, the financial system shut down in Bali. Lots of companies closed -- eating places, inns, journey firms. We are so reliant on tourism. So, I see people dropping their jobs. There had been large layoffs.

When all of these companies shut down, and loads of these staff did not have something to do, loads of them went again to their village. They went again to the land. But people had no revenue. So, actually the very first thing that people want is meals. I noticed people in my village begin worrying about how they had been going to put meals on the desk. People had been actually, actually struggling, particularly six months into the pandemic. And this involved me.

CNN: What are some particular facets of Balinese tradition that information your efforts?

Yasa: People come from everywhere in the world to dwell right here as a result of they're drawn to the holistic method that we dwell life right here in Bali. I used to be born and raised in a small village right here. The benefit of Bali is that the human-to-human connection is absolutely robust. If I've extra money than I want, I may help my neighbors.

We have loads of conventional knowledge that guides our life right here. One is known as tri hita karana, which is the 3 ways to obtain happiness: dignity; human-to-human connection, which is taken into account prosperity; and human connection to the setting.

CNN: How does your program work?

Yasa: The villagers will obtain the rice in accordance to the sort of plastic they create and the quantity that they create. Each class has a unique worth. We work with an organization that collects this plastic and sends it to Java for correct recycling, as a result of we do not a have recycling plant but in Bali. We purchase rice from the farmers. So, we're actually creating this round financial system, supporting the farmers after which we additionally clear the setting and feed people in that neighborhood.

People have enjoyable with it. And now, after one 12 months (of) this, selecting up plastic is {sexy}. It's the cool factor to do. People simply get into it. Now, we're working with 200 villages. My objective is absolutely to unfold this motion.

CNN: How have some of these cultural wisdoms helped make Plastic Exchange profitable?

Yasa: People in Bali dwell in nature. Traditionally, we imagine nature has a soul. People do care in regards to the setting. But the plastic air pollution in Bali is as a result of of lack of training and observe.

We're attempting to change conduct. The solely method you are able to do that's by means of training. That's how you modify people's habits. My technique is exhibiting them an instance by means of motion. We educate people on how to separate the plastic. And we additionally educate people on the hazards of the plastic. If it goes into the setting, it pollutes the water, the ocean, and that is not good for the setting.

People right here come collectively in a very, actually great way. So as soon as people are educated on how to correctly dispose the plastic, they need to assist and create change.

Correction: An earlier model of this headline and story incorrectly acknowledged the burden of plastic collected for recycling. It was 300 tons.