STEENSEL/NUSA PENIDA - Jaap Venhovens took up the challenge almost two years ago to do something about the waste problem on the island of Nusa Penida in Indonesia. Setbacks, such as a flood, do not faze him. Although that is not always easy.

Johan van der Putten 07-02-22, 13:30 Bron: ED

Tijdens een vakantie in 2020 op Nusa Penida zag Jaap Venhovens hoe mooi het eiland bij Bali was, maar ook hoeveel afval er op het land en in het water ligt. Toen hij vanwege de coronamaatregelen niet naar huis kon, besloot hij iets aan het probleem te doen. Jaap (50) from Steensel could not leave Bali after a holiday, the fight against litter is now his life

Own waste collection service

Together with two local entrepreneurs, he founded the Clean Foundation Penida on. The goal is to clean things up. They set up their own waste collection service and built a factory where the waste is sorted and processed before it goes to Bali.

Behind a friend's borrowed laptop, the Steensel resident tells his story from the tropical island. His own laptop did not survive the dampness after the December flood. Although that is the least of his worries, because the water did much more damage.

Waterfalls

One night in December it rained and stormed so heavily that a huge flow of water came down from the hills and flooded large parts of the coastline. Several houses and roads collapsed or suffered significant damage. “there was continuous thunder and lightning”, Venhovens looks back on that night. “I woke up around 6 am and thought it was still raining. When I opened the door, I saw that everything was under water. The noise I heard were waterfalls that had sprung up. It is a miracle that no casualties were reported. At least not that I've heard."

They don't write off anything quickly here, but it doesn't pay off

The material damage on the island was extensive. Also in the factory where the collected waste is processed. For example, the second-hand truck for collecting waste was dragged along for a long time. “He was about 150 yards away. They first tried to make the truck on this island, now they are making an attempt on Bali. They don't write off anything quickly here, but it doesn't pay off."

Fortunately, the machines were on a platform and did not suffer any damage, but the truck is a loss . We now have to hire a truck with a driver every time and that costs money. We have to look for money for a second-hand pick-up, because we can't live without it.'' He hopes for donations through our website

The waste is collected by truck in various villages and districts on the island. Residents take the rubbish to a central location and receive a small amount for this. Then it goes to the factory where it is processed.

Bad timing

The collected and sometimes already processed waste also washed away. “The timing of the flood was bad. The whole factory was full of waste, ready to be shipped and represented a lot of value.”

I have been without income for practically two years

A major setback, because the margins are small. The price that Venhovens receives from recycling companies is barely sufficient to cover the costs of collection, processing and shipping. Until now, Venhovens regularly put his own money into it. “But that money is also starting to run out. I've been without income for practically two years.'' In the Netherlands he earned his money as a stage builder at concerts and festivals.

To make the project sustainable and to be able to invest further, more income is needed. Hotels, restaurants and diving schools are willing to pay for a waste collection service, but they are almost at a standstill due to the corona virus.

People would lose heart for less, but Venhovens remains positive. “I am convinced that we are in the final phase of corona with the omicron variant. My hope is that tourism will pick up again in a few months.” If that is not the case? "Then I have a plan B. I still have a house in the Netherlands that I can rent out."

Socializing

Despite his positivity, he admits that it is sometimes difficult not to get demotivated. ,,But I like to get in touch with people and talk everywhere. That gives me energy. It motivates when people want to cooperate.”

Does he also see progress on the island, is it getting cleaner? “That is difficult to measure. It seemed cleaner, but is that because of the foundation or because life and tourism are on the back burner because of corona? In addition, everything is messy again due to the flood.”

Drain clogged

He does notice, however, that the residents have become aware of the problem and are more concerned with it. Just because of the flood. “The rainfall and the storm were extreme, but the problem was also that some waterways for drainage were clogged by waste. Residents are now more alert to this. It has shaken them up, made it clear that it has to be cleaner. You notice that they are more and more busy with it. We collect quite a bit of waste, but it still has to grow. I'll keep going until it's clean here."