Olivier Pouillon: Bali Recycling
inside the mid-1990s, Olivier Pouillon saw a young child die at an illegal hotel dumpsite. The experience left a deep scar. Olivier resolved to do his part in trying to prevent something similar through ever happening again. Growing up inside the U.S.A. along with Asia, he graduated through Hunter College in 1993, brand-new York City, majoring in environmental studies along with political science. The young man first arrived in Bali in 1991 to study Indonesian culture, language along with urban issues. In 1993 he returned to Bali along with subsequently married a local girl, commenced raising a family along with almost 
What do you like best about your work?
This kind of may surprise people yet working in garbage will be very interesting here with lots of dynamics along with layers of intrigue. The situation will be also changing very fast. of which’s a challenge to do This kind of kind of work along with there are lots of sacrifices required, yet we have been able to make progress along with beginning to see positive modifications. Although of which might not be readily apparent, I believe of which the future in waste management in Bali will be very bright.
We are the only fully licensed company of which handles all types of waste, offering recycling services as well as proper hazardous waste disposal. of which’s all about zero waste, sustainability along with workable solutions.
What will be your philosophy of waste disposal?
Waste will be actually a man-made concept. In nature there will be no such thing as waste, just cycles where nutrients along with elements are endlessly recycled. We believe of which we should follow the same approach. Waste definitely will be a misuse of resources along with we need to recover those resources, to ‘recycle’ those resources. Using methods like composting, creating biogas through putrid food waste along with recycling non-organic wastes.
Can you give some examples of recyclables?
We can recycle many types of plastic bags, plastic containers, all types of paper, paperboard, cardboard, metals, aluminum, used wax, oils, glass bottles, e-waste, garden waste, food waste, biomass (wood/bamboo/coconut shells), along with many more. Some things are not easily recycled, so we are finding ways to reuse of which or recycle of which such as candy bar along with chip bag packaging with aluminum inner linings, plus styrofoam packaging, takeout containers along with PVC food packaging. Then there are some things of which are definitely dangerous along with can’t be easily recycled such as fluorescent bulbs along with dry cell batteries. These fall into the category of hazardous waste along with also need to be safely disposed of.
Why will be proper waste disposal important?
How did This kind of situation come about?
In less than one generation the waste profile completely changed in Bali. Thirty years ago there was very little man-made waste. Plastic was unusual. Traditional methods of throwing trash behind your home or inside the river were totally appropriate. Also the population was less than half of what of which will be today. Bali, like the rest of Indonesia along with the developing world, has experienced a huge population boom. Urban migration along with economic development have introduced a consumptive consumer economy. The problems in Bali are only accentuated because all these things have been happening in a relatively tiny island.
Who are your customers?
What might be surprising to most Westerners will be of which most of our customers are Indonesians. There will be a misconception held by many Westerners of which locals don’t care about the environment along with of which they don’t get of which. of which’s not definitely the case. Just as you’ll find of which not every Westerner will be ‘eco conscious.’ Our number one customer demographic at This kind of point will be actually local housewives along with students. We work with many restaurants along with some hotels, yet in sheer numbers we have over 1,000 Indonesian household customers.
What role does education have in promoting responsible garbage disposal?
Often the mantra through environmental social advocates on garbage will be “people need to be educated about the problem” or “the solution will be education.” Obviously, education about waste issues will be important yet of which will be definitely only one ingredient in a recipe for change. Without real along with practical waste systems in place, education will not be enough. This kind of has been the case in Indonesia where schools along with government campaigns have educated the masses about garbage pollution, yet without adequate waste infrastructure, no significant progress has definitely happened. Bali Recycling provides This kind of needed infrastructure along with tailors of which to different groups to support a behavioral change in society.
Out of curiosity, what’s going to happen after the massive Suwung landfill fills up?
Suwung will be already filled up! On the positive side, of which has forced the issue of waste not to be ignored. I believe of which we can completely change of which around if we all can create systems where everybody stops doing waste along with instead creates “waste resources” of which are returned back to nature or to industry. Imagine every hotel deciding to stop trucking out its waste along with starts using its organic waste to produce life-giving compost to be used in its tropical gardens; of which decides to stop polluting rivers along with mangroves along with instead initiates recycling programs. All of This kind of will be completely possible! We can all adopt these practices to some degree in our homes along with businesses. None of This kind of needs brand-new technology, just a brand-new perspective. Bali definitely has no environmental problems, just solutions waiting to be adopted.
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Olivier Pouillon: Bali Recycling
Olivier Pouillon: Bali Recycling