The Green Hita Village Seminar

The seminar was held in a meeting room at a restaurant in the Penimbangan Beach area on July 8, 2026. It was organized through a collaboration between the THG Taruna Hita Global Foundation and the Indonesian Child Aid Foundation.

The seminar opened with a message from the Deputy Regent of Buleleng, read by Luh Putu Adi Ariwati, S.E., M.Pd., Secretary of the Buleleng Regency Education, Youth, and Sports Agency. Attendees included representatives from the Buleleng Regency Health Agency (Public Health Division); village staff representing the Village Heads of Panji Anom and Pemaron; school principals from Panji Anom and Pemaron villages. Principal of the Green Hita Project Pilot School: SDN 1 Tukadmungga and SMPN 4 Tejakula. Participants attending the event included members of the nature-loving student clubs (Sispala) from SMAN 3 Singaraja and SMKTI Bali Global Singaraja.

The Deputy Regent of Buleleng stated that environmental issues are no longer merely a concern for the future but a tangible challenge we face today. Problems ranging from plastic waste and river pollution to declining environmental quality require solutions that go beyond technical measures; they also necessitate fostering behavioral changes within the community from an early age.
The Deputy Regent of Buleleng views the Green Hita Village Project as a strategic initiative that prioritizes education and collaboration. Integrating environmental education in schools, fostering a culture of cleanliness, reducing single-use plastic consumption, and promoting river conservation efforts represent a long-term investment in shaping a generation in Buleleng that cares about the environment.
This program also aligns with the "Tri Hita Karana" philosophy specifically the "Palemahan" aspect which focuses on fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. We must continue to uphold such local values as a driving force for regional development. Consequently, the Green Hita Village Project is highly relevant to Buleleng Regency’s development vision, as it encourages the creation of a community that is healthy, intelligent, and environmentally conscious, while also capable of actively participating in regional development.

THG Foundation Chairman I Made Budiyasa delivered opening remarks outlining the 2026 project, a key initiative centered on tree planting (Planting), green anak sungai (Green River), plastic waste management program (Bank Kona), as well as campaign environment.

Waste management is a challenge requiring a collective solution, as waste is generated by everyone on a massive scale. The volume of waste continues to rise alongside the growing population. Plastic waste, in particular, has become a widespread scourge that creates a squalid appearance, generates unpleasant odors, and detracts from the aesthetic appeal and comfort of the environment.

While the consequences of indiscriminate waste disposal such as frequent flooding are readily apparent, there is a far greater, invisible danger: plastic gradually breaking down into microplastics. Microplastics act as a silent killer, posing a threat to public health. Once in the ecosystem, they enter the food chain; for instance, marine microplastics which resemble phytoplankton or zooplankton are ingested by small fish, eventually making their way to humans who consume larger fish. Studies have detected microplastics in stool samples from every Indonesian participant examined. Research also reports the presence of microplastics in the blood vessels of stroke patients and even in amniotic fluid.

During the discussion session, representatives from the village and schools outlined the obstacles facing waste management and mitigation efforts. The issue of waste volume was a recurring theme; raising awareness about waste sorting remains a significant challenge, as the majority of residents do not subscribe to waste collection services, and even among those who do, many fail to sort their waste. Schools face a similar situation, struggling to manage their waste effectively. Burning waste has long been a common shortcut taken by both the community and several schools.

In December 2025, the "Biosaver" movement and a plastic-packaged-food-free school canteen initiative were launched at SMPN 4 Sukasada, alongside the Head of the Education, Youth, and Sports Agency, Ida Bagus Surya Barata. This program serves as a solution to reduce plastic waste generation and addresses health considerations by curbing the consumption of foods in plastic packaging and artificial sweeteners.

The survey results—conducted between February and April 2025—supplement the seminar and are based on an analysis of questionnaires completed by 120 teachers from the Tejakula, Buleleng, and Gerokgak districts. The findings are as follows: 1. Awareness of the environmental hazards posed by single-use plastics (straws, bottles, Styrofoam) 90.16% Good 2. Subscription to waste collection services 57.37% 3. Separation of organic and inorganic waste 59.01% Poor 4. Interest in environmental care activities 65.57% Poor 5. Interest in joining environmental advocacy communities 73.77% Good 6. Familiarity with/awareness of the "Stop Luutung" or "Stop Luubak" slogans 31.96% Very poor 7. Experience cleaning or washing sauce/condiment sachets (e.g., sugar packets) 16.39% Very poor 8. Experience making compost 51.63% Poor

In the concluding session, several school principals committed to adopting methods to reduce plastic waste generated by school canteens and implementing the "Green Hita" curriculum in their schools. The #gersaplast initiative comprising the Plastic Sweep Movement (Gerakan Sapu Plastik), the Plastic Skewer Movement (Gerakan Sate Plastik), and "Generation Save Plastics" forms the core of the effort to tackle the plastic waste problem.

At the conclusion of the session facilitated by MCs and moderators Eka Supariyanti and Ni Luh Mang Puspita Widyaningsih seminar participants were invited to take a group photo and sign the MKD Pledge (to maintain cleanliness wherever they are).