Eyewitness – MANGUPURA
Amidst growing concerns over waste management impacting Bali’s reputation as a premier global tourist destination, Tibubeneng Village in North Kuta, Badung, has taken a decisive step forward today 22 April 2026.
To commemorate World Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the Tibubeneng Village administration officially collaborated with the Ginting Institute to launch an environmental education program tailored for elementary school students. The initiative focuses on early-age waste identification, sorting, and processing.
Set to commence in June 2026, the program is the result of a strategic coordination meeting held on April 17 between the Tibubeneng Village government, local youth representatives, and the Jakarta-based Ginting Institute.
The meeting was attended by the Head of Tibubeneng Village, Made Kamajaya; Tibubeneng youth representatives; Ginting Institute Board of Trustees members Daniel Ginting and Quoriena Ginting; as well as Executive Director Sisi Suhardjo and her team.
Made Kamajaya stated that this collaboration serves as a strategic move to bolster the environmental movements already established within the village.
”We warmly welcome this inspiring support. This waste-awareness education program for elementary students is a vital effort to instill environmental consciousness from a young age,” Kamajaya said on Wednesday.
He further explained that Tibubeneng Village has been consistently implementing various integrated programs, ranging from beach clean-ups and waste-sorting monitoring at the banjar (neighborhood) level to direct community engagement initiatives.
Under this partnership, the Ginting Institute will provide the curriculum and training for educators, involving local youth organizations such as the Sekaa Teruna-Teruni (STT) and Karang Taruna.
The primary objective of this program is to cultivate a new generation of environmental ambassadors capable of championing sustainable waste management education across the region.
Kamajaya expressed high hopes for the presence of the Ginting Institute through the Wija Reksa Art Hub & Residency in Tibubeneng. The facility is designed to serve as a creative hub for the community while fostering collaboration with creative professionals on both national and international levels.
Daniel Ginting, founder and advisory board member of the Ginting Institute, underscored the critical role of environmental education in elementary schools. He believes early intervention is key to shaping an ethical foundation for cleanliness and instilling long-term behavioral awareness.
”Introducing waste issues to children is a fundamental strategy for building habits and values that will create healthier communities and resilient waste management systems,” Ginting explained.
According to Ginting, early education encourages children to refrain from littering, protect the environment, and respect shared public spaces as part of their social responsibility.
The 4R Framework and Creative Integration
The program’s implementation involves engaging students in understanding various types of waste, their environmental and health impacts, and practical management based on the 4R principles: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Replace/Refuse. The curriculum is delivered through interactive books featuring:
• Engaging illustrated stories.
• Educational games.
• Practical activities applicable at both home and school.
In a unique twist, the program integrates art as an educational medium. Renowned artist Made Bayak, famous for his “plasticology” technique, will lead sessions on transforming plastic waste into artwork. Additionally, cartoonist Jango Pramartha, alongside Bog Komunikartun, will conduct visual workshops centered on cartooning.
A Vision for Bali
The participants’ creations will eventually be curated and showcased in various creative spaces, including the Wija Reksa Art Hub & Residency. This initiative further solidifies the village’s position as a collaborative creative space involving local, national, and international artists.
By utilizing an educational and cross-sector collaborative approach, Tibubeneng Village aims for this program to become a model for sustainable community-based waste management, while simultaneously upholding Bali’s international reputation as a clean and conscious destination.
Reporter : Daniel Herry
