What this post is about:
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Why I started caring about plastic
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What I’ve experienced through beach cleanups in Bali
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How I try to live with less plastic (but not zero)
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Why Umah Decor is committed to natural materials
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A gentle invitation to try it, too
1. A Personal Beginning: Picking Up Plastic in Paradise
When I stay in Bali, especially near Canggu, I always try to join the Canggu Beach Cleanup on Tuesdays at 5pm. It’s a simple ritual: gather at the beach, grab a bag, and start picking.
Every time, I’m shocked by how much plastic waste we collect—from bottle caps to food wrappers to broken flip-flops.
And as a bonus, you get to watch the sunset after the Canggu Beach Clean!
But what happens after we clean? That’s the beautiful part.
The organization running the cleanup carefully collects and hand-sorts the waste afterward, making sure everything that can be recycled or repurposed is properly handled. No trash left behind.
These moments changed me. I didn’t grow up avoiding plastic. But bending down to pick it up, piece by piece, in such a beautiful place, I started to feel differently about it.
I now pause before accepting plastic, especially single-use ones. I think: Do I really need this?
2. Plastic Isn’t the Enemy — It’s How We Use It
Let’s be honest—plastic itself is a brilliant invention.
It’s made from petroleum, which comes from fossilized remains of ancient organisms, including prehistoric plants and animals (yes, even dinosaurs!). Its durability and flexibility have transformed modern life.
So I’m not here to say “plastic is evil.”
Instead, I want to live in a way that respects its power and uses it wisely and sparingly.
I try not to use plastic for disposable moments—like plastic forks, wrapping, or packaging that lasts seconds but lingers in nature for decades.
And when I do use plastic, I try to reuse, repair, or recycle it with intention.
3. At Umah Decor, We Keep It Naturally Plastic-Free (Almost!)
At Umah Decor, our goal is not perfection—it’s intention.
Most of our products are entirely plastic-free, especially our signature atta bags and baskets with intricate beadwork. These are made by artisans in Bali using only natural materials like atta grass and cotton threads.
Some items, like our sea grass coasters, do use a small amount of nylon fishing line for stitching. We’re transparent about it and always trying to minimize it while maintaining the durability of the product.
Our philosophy:
🌿 Choose natural when possible. Be honest when not. And always keep improving.
4. What You Can Do – A Gentle Invitation
You don’t have to move to Bali or start a business to make a difference.
Just try one thing:
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🌱 Pick up trash next time you go for a walk
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👜 Carry your own bag or bottle
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🧴 Say no to tiny shampoo bottles at hotels
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🧺 Choose handmade, natural decor that lasts
If you ever get a chance to join a local beach cleanup—or even just pick up a few pieces of litter in your neighborhood—I truly recommend it.
It’s humbling, grounding, and unexpectedly joyful.
📍 Langley, BC – roadside cleanup
This photo was taken during a roadside cleanup I did when I used to live in Langley. The local municipality kindly provided cleanup bags and later came to collect the garbage I picked up.
It may seem like a small act, but picking up even just a few pieces of plastic on the roadside reminds me that change can start with one person, one bag, and one walk🌱✨
5. A Final Thought
Plastic Free July is not about guilt or perfection.
It’s a reminder: we all leave a footprint—but we can choose what kind.
At Umah Decor, many of our products are made with what nature offers us:
🌾 atta grass, 🐚 seashells, 🌿 rattan, 🍃 bamboo, and 🌊 sea grass—all sourced with care and crafted by hand.
Wouldn’t it be beautiful to bring some of Bali’s natural vibes into your home?
A little corner that whispers slow living, ocean breeze, and handmade warmth—without plastic.
Let’s take small steps together. For Bali. For the Earth. For ourselves. 💚
With love,
Saki – Founder of Umah Decor
