Zero Waste is a set of principles focused on waste prevention that encourages the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused. The goal is for no trash to be sent to landfills, incinerators, or the ocean. Currently, only 9% of plastic is actually recycled. The process recommended is one similar to the way that resources are reused in nature. The definition adopted by the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) is: Zero Waste: The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of all products, packaging, and materials, without burning them, and without discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.

Zero Waste refers to waste prevention as opposed to end-of-pipe waste management. It is a whole systems approach that aims for a massive change in the way materials flow through society, resulting in no waste. Zero waste encompasses more than eliminating waste through recycling and reuse, it focuses on restructuring production and distribution systems to reduce waste. Zero waste is more of a goal or ideal rather than a hard target. Zero Waste provides guiding principles for continually working towards eliminating wastes.

The movement gained publicity and reached a peak in 1998–2002, and since then has been moving from “theory into action” by focusing on how a “zero waste community” is structured and behaves. The website of the Zero Waste International Alliance has a listing of communities across the globe that have created public policy to promote zero-waste practices. See also the Eco-Cycle website for examples of how this large nonprofit is leading Boulder County, Colorado on a Zero-Waste path and watch a 6-minute video about the zero-waste big picture. Finally, there is a USA zero-waste organization named the GrassRoots Recycling Network that puts on workshops and conferences about zero-waste activities.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board established a zero waste goal in 2001. The City and County of San Francisco’s Department of the Environment established a goal of zero waste in 2002, which led to the City’s Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance in 2009. With its ambitious goal of zero waste and policies, San Francisco reached a record-breaking 80% diversion rate in 2010, the highest diversion rate in any North American city. San Francisco received a perfect score in the waste category in the Siemens US and Canada Green City Index, which named San Francisco the greenest city in North America.

In Indonesia generally and Bali specifically, stirred by the nationwide grassroots-led movement of Indonesia Bebas Sampah (Zero Waste Indonesia), two years ago the government targeted the country will be free of waste by the year 2020. Bali is famous for its abundant culture, unique sunsets, hidden waterfalls, endless tropical lush green and pristine beaches-when they are not “trashed”. But a couple of months ago, Bali declared a “Garbage emergency”: The Island of Gods is facing a huge waste problem due to the waste washing ashore along its coastlines, coming from the other Indonesian islands such as Java, or from Bali itself. Some banjars (village) in Bali do have waste management programs but it’s not the case for most of them. Moreover, there isn’t enough recycling infrastructure in Bali, and the majority of the garbage is either burned (which could cause health issues besides contributing to global warming) or disposed in the nature along the sides of roads or in the rivers.

There are several principals to achieve the goals of zero waste. Thoseare Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Zero waste is poorly supported by the enactment of government laws to enforce the waste hierarchy of refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and rot (compost). In practice, these laws invariably emphasize destruction and recycling, while the reuse component is marginalized.

A special feature of Zero Waste as a design principle is that it can be applied to any product or process, in any situation or at any level. Thus it applies equally to toxic chemicals as to benign plant matter. It applies to the waste of atmospheric purity by coal-burning or the waste of radioactive resources by attempting to designate the excesses of nuclear power plants as “nuclear waste”. All processes can be designed to minimize the need for discard, both in their own operations and in the usage or consumption patterns which the design of their products leads to. Recycling, on the other hand, deals only with simple materials.

Zero Waste can even be applied to the waste of human potential by enforced poverty and the denial of educational opportunity. It encompasses redesign for reduced energy wasting in industry or transportation and the wasting of the earth’s rainforests. It is a general principle of designing for the efficient use of all resources, however defined.

The recycling movement may be slowly branching out from its solid waste management base to include issues that are similar to the community sustainability movement.  Zero waste, on the other hand, is not based in waste management limitations to begin with but requires that we maximize our existing reuse efforts while creating and applying new methods that minimize and eliminate destructive methods like incineration and recycling. Zero Waste strives to ensure that products are designed to be repaired, refurbished, re-manufactured and generally reused.

Online web services, like Free Cycle or the reGives Network have risen in popularity over the last decade where locals can give items that they no longer need to others locally in an effort to keep items out of landfills and work toward a zero waste lifestyle. When you are going travel to Bali, you also can help Bali to reach the goals of zero-waste environment. Here’s we give you some tips to leave less trash behind you on your next trip to Bali.

1. Rocking your Zero Waste travel essentials

“Think reusable, not disposable”. The Zero Waste traveler’s 4 basic essential items are: a reusable straw, a reusable water bottle, a reusable bag, and reusable cutlery. Whether you’ll be using it to sip a coconut on the beach, hydrate yourself while exploring the beauty of Bali, shopping at the numerous local shops and markets, or to indulging yourself with delicious Balinese cuisine on the go, these four Zero-Waste essentials will help you avoid creating waste in Bali.

Otherwise, you will end up using these infamous single-use plastics: plastic straws, plastic water bottles, plastic bags and plastic cutlery. Single-use plastics are indeed (sadly) widely used at shops, bars, and restaurants in Bali. Be a prepared Zero Waste traveler! And don’t fret if you didn’t have time to stock up on your Zero Waste essentials, you can find them in Bali- at its very own Zero Waste shop. You can also choose solid personal care products that are biodegradable and dissolve naturally in the water, such as solid soaps and shampoos and deodorant bars.

2. Staying hydrated in Zero Waste mode

Some people have asked me the following: “I get the reusable concept but what about the drinking water when travelling part?”. My answer to that is, “You can use RefillMyBottle!”Bali is very lucky to have an application called RefillMyBottle, which you can use to locate water refill stations around you on the map. Isn’t that wonderful? I’ve never had to buy a single disposable plastic water bottle in Bali.

The main advice from your usual travel guides would be to buy a sealed water plastic bottle while in Bali; I can testify that this isn’t necessary and on top of reducing the trash you produce, you’ll save money, too. The vast majority of the refill station places will refill your water bottle for free- yes FOR FREE! Some will charge a very small amount of money (IDR 5000 = USD 0.40). They’ll usually be using gallon water or filtered water to fill up your bottles. You can check this ahead of time on the application itself or on their website.

3. Snacking and being Zero Waste

It can be tricky to be Zero Waste when it comes to snacks- they usually come with plastic or plastic foil packaging that isn’t recyclable. And as a gentle reminder, Bali doesn’t have enough recycling infrastructure facilities so the best waste is the one that we don’t produce. Your first and easiest option is to have your snack at a local warung (restaurant) or coffee-shop. Eating-in means that no waste is generated.

Your second-best option is to buy in bulk at the local fresh market with its fresh and healthy products (fruits, nuts etc…) or at one of the bulk shops in Bali: Such as the Zero Waste Shop or Bali Buda who has a bulk food corner. Just bring along your reusable bag and/or reusable containers to store your snacks.

4. Getting around as a Zero Waste traveller

This section is part of the “invisible” waste family. I’m referring to CO2 emissions- You generate a certain amount of CO2 depending on how you get around. Walking and cycling are preferred methods of zero-waste travelling, but it’s not always possible.

You have numerous options for transportation when it comes to travelling around Bali. If you are travelling with your family or a group of friends, renting a car is probably the best option- You can hire a driver at literally every street corner in Bali. And you’re sharing the carbon emissions together, making your individual footprint much smaller. You can also share a taxi by using Bluebird, Grab or Go Jek. If you travel solo or in a small group, you can take public transportation, depending on your destination: Perama shuttle bus is one of them, as well as Kura Kura. And it’s cheaper- A Zero Waste lifestyle really helps you save some serious cash.

5. Speaking Zero Waste Indonesian Bahasa

Let’s finish with a Zero Waste Bahasa Indonesia crash course! Use these phrases to help you along your on your Zero Waste trip through Bali:

• No plastic straw, thank you = Tidak usah pakai sedotan, terima kasih
• No plastic bag, thank you = Tidak usah pakai plastik, terima kasih
• No plastic fork, thank you = Tidak usah pakai garpu plastik, terima kasih
• No plastic spoon, thank you = Tidak usah pakai sendok plastik, terima kasih
• No plastic knife, thank you = Tidak usah pakai pisau plastik) , terima kasih

We as a team of Hydro Medical Bali really wish you can be with us to achieve the goal of zero waste in Bali by 2020. Let’s create a better environment for us. You can also call us to get a tote bag with the signature of our clinic. Also during your holiday,  If you need a shot for your vitamin during your holiday you can visit hydro medical clinic to seeking the right IV vitamin for your body, in there you will be handled by a professional health care, and they will make sure that you will get the best treatment for your health.You can also call us to get a tote bag with the signature of our clinic. Enjoy your holiday!