Tourist industry uses ‘green’ paper

Owners of hotels, restaurants and tourist-related industries must start using “green” materials as part of the island’s campaign to become a “clean and green” province.

Panudhiana Khun, chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Businessman Association, said he was proud to use recycled paper in his book and for his hotels and companies’ promotional tools.

“Going green is not only about planting trees. We need to practice it in our everyday life,” said Khun.

His newly released book entitled Jendela Pariwisata, or Window of Tourism, was printed using recycled paper and eco-friendly printing ink.

“The production cost was, of course, more expensive than using ordinary paper, but I feel so proud to be able to do so,” he added.

Violina, sales marketing of Cynthia Grafika printing company, agrees that most recycled paper and “green” ink is still imported from Switzerland and other foreign countries. “That’s one of the reasons why the production costs of books using recycled paper is much higher than printing ordinary books.”

Violina also said that while Indonesia produced recycled paper, the quality and the quantity was still quite low compared to imported items.

“We have received orders from companies to print their brochures and other promotional tools using green paper, and we have to order the materials from our suppliers in Jakarta in advance to ensure that the materials are available.”

Executive of Bali Hotels Association Djinaldi Gosana requires the association’s members to use “green products.”

— JP/Wasti Atmodjo