But the curse of plastic pollution threatens to make this a paradise lost, disfigured by trash-strewn shores and sprawling landfill sites. Campaigns such as "Bye Bye Plastic Bags," led by two charismatic teenage girls from the island, have raised awareness of plastic pollution and compelled the government to take action -- recently committing to ban plastic bags by 2018. Donating to "Bye Bye Plastic Bags" campaigners Melati and Isabel Wijsen, who successfully lobbied the Balinese government to ban plastic bags by 2018. Krieger believes much of this growth will come through replacing conventional plastic products associated with pollution, such as bags and food packaging. Kumala disagrees, believing that a new paradigm is necessary to halt the runaway train of plastic pollution, one that takes the emphasis away from consumers and offers a ready-made solution.

Source: CNN January 16, 2017 11:48 UTC