HELP US PROTECT THE ICONIC ULUWATU SURF BREAK 

Project Clean Uluwatu (PCU) strives to restore and preserve Uluwatu, one of the most renowned and iconic surf breaks in the world. It’s popularity, however, has seen increasing environmental and cultural degradation. PCU has decided to set an example of how collaborative stewardship, communication with tourists and local communities  and proper solid and liquid waste management can preserve the natural breauty of the Uluwatu waves for generations to come. But, to do this, we need your help!

PCU works with the Balinese community to keep Uluwatu clean and beautiful by maintaining a waste management infrastructure and fostering local environmental stewardship. PCU’s goal is to streamline its programs, adequately meet the additional demands, and guarantee their longevity for generations to come. For the upcoming year, PCU hopes to:

Expand Uluwatu’s sold waste management system

• Expand the current team of two by providing funding for three additional staff members to assist with rubbish collection and maintenance
• Expand the current area for composting, rubbish collection, and sorting recyclables
• Organise more frequent rubbish collection

Support Uluwatu’s liquid waste management system

• Rework the bio-enzyme (a formulated solution that breaks down the waste inside the processing tank), as odours from the tank remain an issue
• Reengineer the dispenser system for the bio-enzyme solution
• Move the inline grease trap from inside the tank housing to the exterior
• Repair and renovate the PCU public restroom
• Increase PCU’s ability to provide financial support and oversight for repairs to old pipes and septic tanks

Continue the transition to local Balinese administration and staffing

• PCU will begin training two local Balinese to manage PCU which will help bridge cultural differences and achieve PCU’s goal of Balinese management over Uluwatu’s environmental issues

Uluwatu was first revealed to the surfing world in the classic 1972 film Morning of the Earth. Two years later, world famous surf pioneer Gerry Lopez surfed the wave and launched Uluwatu into the mainstream spotlight. This drew surfers from all over the world to book Bali-bound plane tickets in order to experience surfing’s “new mecca”. The following forty-year period saw an explosion in commercial development of restaurants (warungs) and hotels to accommodate the growing number of surfers.

As a result of a burgeoning influx of tourism, the waste management infrastructure at Uluwatu has not kept pace with growth and development of the area, creating alarming sanitation concerns. Further, a lack of environmental responsibility amongst locals and visitors alike, coupled with a non-existent rubbish collection system, has degraded Uluwatu’s already fragile ecosystem. Finally, the geography and haphazard development of Uluwatu presents particular challenges to proper waste management, with almost 50 separate restaurants and various enterprises situated on the edge of a cliff above the ocean. 

With no policy or environmental regulations enforced, and no Government funding or infrastructure in place, Uluwatu began to develop major environmental hazards. The situation began to look dire.

In 2011, concerned local residents Jon and Ollie attempted to rectify the situation but received little cooperation from the local Government. This prompted them to form the Project Clean Uluwatu committee and regenerative planning started immediately.

ABOUT PROJECT CLEAN ULUWATU 

Our vision is to turn the land and marine environment surrounding Uluwatu into a pristine World Surfing Reserve to benefit the present and future coastal community.

Our mission is to:

• become a sustainable non-profit project assisted by the surf industry for the benefit of surfers
• Be run by the local population for the benefit of the community and visitors to Uluwatu
• Create a successful case study that can be replicated in other environmentally troubled surf areas in Indonesia

Patagonia

Patagonia pledges 1% of sales annually to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. Since 1985 that has totalled over $78 million in cash and kind to small, grassroots environmental groups all over the world.

In Australia, Patagonia is asking you to donate alongside us to help fund six key environmental projects. The Double Down campaign will see each dollar you donate to any of these projects matched by Patagonia up to a total of $50,000.

The Double Down… You donate. We Match. Nature wins twice. To find out more go to doubledown.patagonia.com.au. If you’d like to receive updates from Patagonia, sign up here.