our approach
We use education to lead a generational change away from single-use plastics. In many Indonesian schools, the only way to access safe drinking water is by purchasing single-use plastic water cups. With poor waste management infrastructure in the region, these cups make a large contribution to the plastic waste problem in Indonesia ... and pollute our oceans.
We believe that an understanding of the environmental impacts of plastic cup use, combined with the tools needed to make change and a formal commitment by program participants, will lead to a sustainable reduction of single use plastic and plastic waste within schools and their communities over time.
we educate
We provide Indonesian schools with an eight-lesson education program about plastic, its impact on the environment and the solutions. This is tailored for primary and high school students.
Each school program starts with a workshop where school staff and teachers learn about plastic pollution and pledge to reduce their use of single-use plastic. Using a train-the-trainer model, we also build the skills and knowledge of local teachers to deliver the program.
we provide alternatives
Each student who completes the education program receives a stainless steel water bottle and a certificate of completion at a formal bottle presentation ceremony. The ceremony is attended by the BfB staff, school principal, local dignitaries and teachers, and celebrates the student's new knowledge and tools for change.
We donate a refillable water station to each school, so teachers and students can refill their bottles with safe drinking water.
we inspire
We encourage students to share the message of ocean plastics reduction with their friends and family - and lead generational change.
To spread our message, we also engage in creative conservation activities with like-minded organisations in Bali.
we build networks
Our program began in 2013 by linking Australian schools with Indonesian schools. Each Australian partner school committed to selling stainless-steel water bottles, and for every bottle sold, we donated the same reusable bottle and a water station to the Indonesian partner school. Each bottle is printed with a unique design chosen from Australian and Indonesian student entries in our regular design competition. Attached to the bottle is a handwritten note – a Symbol of Friendship. Through these notes, students in both countries have shared their hobbies and connected through mutual interests. The notes also provide an opportunity for Indonesian students to say thank you for the support.
We have also supported exchanges with Australian students and teachers visiting their Indonesian partner school to share ideas and cross-cultural learning. While we are reassessing our Australian school activities, strong relationships have developed between some schools, and the visits continue.
After join BfB program I become more aware the dangers of plastic waste so I start to reduce plastic waste around my home and school. I also invite friends to reduce plastic waste. I was really happy to get a bottle from BfB so I could reduce my plastic bottle consumption"
- Natsumi, Student at Canggu
