Our partner resort network continues to grow

Across North Sulawesi, resorts have once again started to welcome guests from around the world. Visitors keen to enjoy the lush tropical scenery and stunning coral reefs travel across the globe for a week or three in paradise. Very often, these tourists are passionate about diving and marine biodiversity, and we want to give resorts the tools they need to preserve the environment that underpins tourism in the region.

The income tourism brings to the North Sulawesi area is fundamental to our circular economic model. By investing some of this value back into our waste management infrastructure, we’re bringing our model to some of the most remote communities in the region. Resorts pay a small fee to be part of our partner program which is then invested back into their community. At the moment, island resorts either burn their waste, or sort and store it and pay for expensive ad hoc shipments to recycling/landfill facilities on the mainland. By joining our partner program, they are able to access a fully traceable waste management solution. Partnering provides resorts with a tangible solution but it also allows us to increase our geographical coverage.

We carry out training to help staff sort and manage resort waste

How does it work?
We ask all partner resorts to sign our partner pledge. By signing this, they’re confirming that they are willing to collect and sort the waste they produce. We give them the tools they need to segregate their recyclables, with clear instruction on the different types of plastic. We then arrange for regular collection of this sorted waste, which is transported onto our logistics partner DSG’s sorting hub, feeding into our recycling program. Resorts are encouraged to collect a small contribution from their guests to cover costs. Any additional value from the program will be invested into the local community, expanding the waste collection service to nearby villages.

Why partner?

There are loads of benefits to resorts that choose to become a No-Trash Triangle partner. We help unlock proper waste management infrastructure, keeping tonnes of plastic off our beaches and reefs. It’s not only hotel waste that feeds into our model - support is also provided to carry out beach clean ups. We hire local fishermen to collect sorted waste from the resorts’ front door steps and promote resorts’ involvement across our media channels, supporting general sustainability efforts. Community engagement is crucial to our model, whether that be hotel guests or local staff. Partners are given support to tell the story of their involvement with the initiative, educating and hopefully inspiring those around them.

Who has signed up so far?

Four of Bangka’s dive resorts have agreed to join our programme and signed the partner pledge. We’re really excited to start working together to help the resorts sort and manage the waste they produce and support their ongoing sustainability efforts. Murex Resorts, Blue Bay Divers, Coral Eye and Sea Souls have all committed to work with us to tackle plastic pollution and protect the Coral Triangle.

Spotlight on Murex

Murex was founded in 1988 by Dr. Hanny Batuna as one of Manado’s first dive resorts. It is now run by Dr. Batuna’s daughter Angelique and her husband Danny Charlton with three locations across Manado, Bangka and Lembeh. The Murex team have always had a strong focus on sustainability and marine conservation. They have been sorting and shipping their waste for years and recently invested in solar panels and a battery system for their Bangka resort. To make their waste management even more efficient, they’ve decided to become on official No-Trash Triangle resort partner. By signing up to our established waste collection service, they will get access to a reliable and cost effective solution with a boat visiting their Bangka location once a week to collect sorted waste. We’re delighted to have Murex on board!

Interested?

As we expand across the North Sulawesi region, we’ll continue to partner with more resorts. If you’re a resort owner or manager you can find out more here.