Sustainostic Nusantara: Managing marine plastic debris for sustainable tourism in the ‘New Bali’ of Indonesia

Indonesia’s rich marine biodiversity, endemism and long natural coast lines attract visitors from around the World. Its tourism industry contributes to a high percentage of the country’s GDP, and is a vital source of income for many local communities. Recently, the Indonesian government announced a plan to focus in developing two coastal regions (Mandalika and Labuan Bajo) as the “New Bali” in 2018. These marine tourism areas are however challenged by high levels of plastic pollution and require restoration. Mass cleanups are planned on the islands with support from the government in cooperation with the stakeholders such as local communities and industries. However, there is so far no integrated plan to safeguard the areas from the accumulation of future plastic debris. The Sustainostic (Sustainable No Plastic) Nusantara project will provide stakeholders and the Indonesian government with a policy roadmap to manage marine plastic debris in these areas. Recommendations will be based on a global analysis of plastic waste management approaches and Indonesia’s National Plan of Action on Marine Plastic Debris for 2017-2025. With intense stakeholder involvement, it will include methods applied on national, sub-national and community levels of governance, market-based and techno-entrepreneurial solutions, education and outreach.