Potato Head Family spearheads Community Waste Project to address Bali’s landfill crisis

Known for its longstanding commitment to sustainability, Potato Head Family has expanded its regenerative practices to a wider scale with the launch of the Community Waste Project.

This initiative was spearheaded in collaboration with Mexicola Group and Total Bangun Persada with support from Brunch Club, FINNS Beach Club, Kynd Community, Lemongrass, and Peppers Seminyak.

It aims to address the escalating waste crisis in Bali, where 1,6 million tonnes of waste are produced annually, including 330,000 tonnes of plastic.

With 52% of the island’s waste mismanaged, the initiative aims to cut Bali's landfill waste by 95% and promote a circular economy in Bali’s hospitality sector, turning discarded materials into valuable resources for local businesses.

“We began by cleaning up our own house, our own backyard, and learning to manage our waste to get as close to zero waste as possible. Yet, making a significant change in Bali requires the power of community coming together. We're excited that so many of our neighbours are part of this collective, and we hope this work inspires others to join the journey. Together, we can make Bali zero waste,” says Ronald Akili, Co-founder and CEO at Desa Potato Head.

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Last month, the project opened a 2,000-square-metre waste processing facility in Denpasar near Suwung landfill, Bali’s largest landfill, which will sort and process organic, inorganic, and garden waste using composting, recycling, and upcycling methods.

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Organic waste will be turned into compost or used as animal feed, while materials like plastic and glass will be upcycled into products such as panels for the hospitality industry.

The project emphasises waste separation at the source, with partner businesses adopting clear sorting practices.

The Community Waste Project aims to cut participating businesses’ landfill waste to just 5% while setting a benchmark for sustainable practices across the island and Indonesia.

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An initial investment of US$400,000 has been made to launch the facility, with profits from upcycled products reinvested into local communities and additional waste management infrastructure.

Isabella Rowel, CEO of Mexicola Group, highlights the project's significance for the hospitality industry, stating: “There’s no hiding the fact that whilst hospitality and tourism are the bloodline of this island, they are also its biggest environmental downfall. It is our responsibility as a collective to drive this movement and develop this infrastructure for the future of this island and its people.”

As it evolves, the Community Waste Project aims to become a model for sustainable waste management across Indonesia.

For more details, visit its official website here.

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.

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