History

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 Ulu's into the mainstream spotlight. 
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Uluwatu 1972
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Gerry Lopez. Outside Corner, 1974

Development

Discovery of this world class wave enticed surfers from all over the world to book Bali-bound plane tickets in order to experience surfing's "new mecca". The next 40 years would see an explosion in commercial development of restaurants (warungs) and hotels to accommodate the growing number of surfers.
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First Warung (restaurant). Early 70s
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Present Day

The Issues

With no policy or environmental practices enforced,  no Government funding and no infrastructure in place, Uluwatu began to develop major environmental hazards. Few restaurants had their own septic tanks. Toilets were limited, often out of order and had no water supply. Oil and organic waste from food production was  thrown directly into the ocean. When surfers complained about the rubbish in the ocean, it was simply stockpiled in the ravine near the cave entrance. The situation looked dire. 
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The Ravine

PCU Formation

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

Goals

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.
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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.


You can download the project overview in English or Bahasa Indonesia

Solutions

Solid Waste Management

In June 2011 Project Clean Uluwatu started the first phase of the project by installing the Solid Waste Management System. Rubbish had started piling up in the ravine beside the cave entrance after surfers complained about the warungs throwing it into the ocean. PCU and ecoBali tackled the mountain and hauled out 30 tons of waste. 
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Every warung was then given a rubbish can. The large warungs received one bin for organic waste and one for non-organic. 
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A large, permanent set of concrete bins complete with metal lids was built above the east stairs. 
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Ladies from GUS foundation carry waring rubbish up the stairs to the main bins every day. ecoBali then kindly empties the bins 3 times weekly. All rubbish from Uluwatu is now properly disposed of responsibly.
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Organics are composted while plastics and glass are recycled. All of the residue is taken to the government landfill for proper disposal. 

The next step is to build an on-site composting area so none of the organic waste will need to be carried up the stairs and trucked away.

Liquid Waste Management

There are almost 50 individual shops and restaurants situated on the cliffside edge and no functioning liquid waste infrastructure is in place. Improper disposal of liquid waste has created an alarming problem. Many surfers and tourist have noticed the unpleasant smells along the cliff edge and iconic cave.
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PCU has worked hard to find a solution to the leaking sewage and noxious smells. After extensive surveys by engineers, we have developed a design that will solve the liquid waste disposal issues. 
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Final installation and maintenance costs are estimated to be $50,000 USD. The warungs and residents are working alongside PCU to make this viable and sustainable. 

Construction of the concrete and steel housing for the processing tank began in May 2013. 
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For a simplified diagram, click here

To Date: 

·      PCU and EcoBali have removed about 1,500 cubic meters of trash since they first removed 30 tons of rubbish in June of 2011.

·      Has removed 3 cubic liters of waste water per day, since December 2013 and produce 1-2 cubic meters of organic compost a month since January 2014.

·      PCU has processed over 1,800,000 L of waste water that otherwise would have gone into the cave and beach.

Education

Underpinning the project is to provide training and education in order to create positive environmental practices within the community.

We hope to begin an environmental education program in partnership with GUS Foundation in the local SD schools before the end of 2014.
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Ongoing communications and activities to help raise awareness of Project Clean Uluwatu include:

  • Regular meetings between committee members and the newly formed Local Warung Committee.

  • Advocacy to local governments and international organisations such as Conservation International and to garner future support. 

  • Promotion through fundraising events.

  • Onsite signage and a newly located office on Uluwatu's cliffside.

  • Media relations: press features, interviews, newsletters and free advertising.
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