In celebration of the 528th Anniversary of Tabanan, Right Reasons, in partnership with Tabanan Tourism Board, gathered over 100 people from all walks of life to run for Plastic Exchange. Grains4Change, a charity run tackling three problems at once: plastic pollution in Bali, COVID-induced hunger, and local farmers’ economic struggles.
More than 10% of Indonesia still disposes of their waste by dumping it in sewers, rivers and forests (Ministry of the Environment 2012, 168). The plastic waste of over four million people in Bali alone is sitting in nature, leaching into water sources, breaking down into harmful microplastics and washing out into the ocean where it is killing creatures.
To raise awareness and provide solutions through action, GRAINS4CHANGE, RUN FOR PLASTIC EXCHANGE took place December 18th 2021, raising over 250 million rupiah for the Plastic Exchange programs. It is an ecosystem of exchange where people are empowered to clean the environment and collect plastic to be deposited and exchanged into the basic life staple of rice. Every dollar raised cleans four kilogram of plastic, and feeds a family of four.
“Within every crisis lies an opportunity”. This was the mindset of Tabanan-native, I Made Janur Yasa, who gave birth to the idea — “Plastic for Rice.” A sustainability movement that has just recently gained global recognition as Janur made the top 10 candidates for CNN Hero of the Year 2021. Janur is a local native from Tabanan who saw the effects of Covid-19 in Bali. His program has already collected over 700,000 kilograms of plastic, and distributed over 170,000 kilograms of rice while operating in over 200 villages in Bali.
In Bali this is called “Tat Twam AsI” where the giver becomes the receiver and the receiver becomes the giver. People’s efforts to save the environment are rewarded with rice that is bought to support the local farmers. Everyone wins.
On December 18th, people from all walks of life came together to form one united community — a community committed to protecting the environment and removing the burden of plastic in Bali. Runners took the challenging yet breathtaking route from Soori, at the beautiful Keliting beach and went up through the cascading rice fields of Jatiluwih. The participants of this event successfully raised enough funding to provide over 80,000 meals for local people while cleaning over 40 tons of plastic across the island.
The top fundraisers, Jade from Bali Visas , Matt, Jedro, and Faustine raised over a thousand dollars in each of their campaigns. Their fundraising efforts received recognition and rewards from the sponsors.
Race results
10KM FUN RUN
1st – Johnny Tiu
2nd – Nick Thorogod (Team Power and Revive) 3rd – Gunnar Eysteinsson
21KM HALF-MARATHON
1st – Emma Payne
2nd – Freddy Mira
3rd Place – Yoshi Kondo
42KM MARATHON
1st Place – Jack Ahearn (Team F45)
2nd – Viktor Bogodi
3rd – Antonette Reyes
Event Partners: Tabanan Tourism Board, Tabanan Hub, Pok Darwis Baturiti, Puri Anyar Kerambitan, Puri Gede Penebel,Gong Jatiluwih, Jatiluwih Glamping, BPC Tabanan, Thrive, and Gil Petersil.
Event Sponsors: Soori Bali, Grab, Resourcify, Bali Visas, Sheraton, W Bali, De Moksha, Alila Seminyak, Renaissance, Fairfield, Bvlgari, The Westin, Amartha, Swell Kedunggu, Bali Beach Glamping, Amartha, Bali Mandira, Terra, Social Impakt, Breman Brewery, Pod Chocolate, Covita, Volt and Fast, V-Soy, Fantastic, Heyy Juice, Waterbom, Samadi, Gumi Cookies, Sensorium, Basil Kitchen and Vivre Gourmet.
Supported by: F45, Power and Revive, Wanderlust Fitness, Nirvana Strength, Uluwatu Collective, Ubud Muay Thai and Bali French Language School.
Funds raised for GRAINS4CHANGE, RUN FOR PLASTIC EXCHANGE will surely empower this Balinese-led movement in providing sustenance in exchange for collecting plastic waste.