Organizations in Bali’s tourism industry are being encouraged to adopt the use of tumblers or drinking bottles to reduce plastic waste.
According to Tjok Bagus Pemayun from Bali’s Tourism Office, this initiative also addresses the recent implementation of a mandate requiring employees in the Provincial Government of Bali to use tumblers.
Environmentally-friendly Policy
According to Antaranews, “If IHGMA (Indonesian Hotel General Manager Association) has already implemented it, we in the Tourism Office also remind tourism stakeholders to bring their tumblers. This circular reinforces and emphasizes the Bali Governor’s Regulation No. 97 of 2018,” Tjok Pemayun said.
The tourism industry, including tourists, is also invited to join this movement. Bali’s Tourism Office plans to place billboards at tourist attraction sites containing information about tourist fees, rules, and the use of tumblers as replacements for plastic beverage packaging.
With this policy, Bali is committed to leading environmental conservation efforts, reducing plastic waste, and promoting sustainable tourism. Meanwhile, in his own office, Tjok Pemayun ensures that all employees are using their own drinking bottles and consuming food without plastic packaging.
This initiative is seen as an integral part of the tourism sector, as regulators should set an example by preserving Bali’s natural beauty from plastic waste, which affects the comfort and health of tourists.
Additionally, Tjok Pemayun also provides gallon water and refreshments for guests visiting the office for tourism-related discussions, especially for tourism industry organizations.
Tumblers as Part of Fashion
Tjok Pemayun somehow understand that tumblers are part of the fashion nowadays, with different models or colors to match our outfit of the day.
“On Mondays, I wear brown clothes, and I match the style with this. I have many bottles—some for hot drinks, some small, so for the week, there are five. Tomorrow, with white and black clothes, there’s another one,” he said.
According to him, there are no challenges in implementing this directive from Bali’s regional secretary, especially since tourism activities have long considered tumblers as souvenirs.
Internally, employees who do not regularly use a drinking bottle are being evaluated, and efforts are underway to ensure that all elements of the tourism sector comply with this policy.
Through Circular Letter No. 2 of 2025, all employees of Bali Provincial Government and school students are required to bring their own tumblers as part of environmental preservation efforts.
Special Morning Roll Call
On the first day of implementing this rule, Monday (Feb 3), the staff of Bali government offices immediately took action to ensure the compliance of Civil Servants in bringing tumblers.
I Wayan Budiasa, Acting Head of the Bali Regional Revenue Agency and Head of the General Affairs and Protocol Bureau of the Bali Provincial Government, said the first day of implementation went smoothly in the two regional offices he oversees.
“We held a special morning roll call to check the compliance of employees in bringing their tumblers. I saw that everyone complied well and brought their own tumblers for their drinking needs,” Budiasa said.
Through Bali Government’s Circular Letter No. 2 of 2025, government agencies are prohibited from providing drinking water and food in plastic packaging. Employees and students are required to bring personal containers that can be reused, such as lunch boxes and tumblers.
Sources: AntaraNews, BarometerBali
Images: via Sonora Bali