From Waste to Walls: How Gili Air Is Turning Glass Bottles into Bricks

How Gili Air Is Turning Glass Bottles into Bricks

A Sustainability Revolution Begins

The island of Gili Air, known for its turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and laid-back atmosphere, is undergoing a quiet revolution. Not in politics or tourism, but in waste management—specifically in how it tackles one of its most persistent environmental challenges: glass waste.

For years, glass bottles from beer, wine, sauces, and condiments piled up at bars, restaurants, and resorts. While organic waste, plastic, and cardboard were being sorted, shipped off, or reused, glass remained the island’s Achilles heel. That is, until a team of young, local entrepreneurs stepped in to change the narrative.

The New Generation Behind Gili Cares

Since 2022, a passionate team of local youths took over the reins of Gili Cares, a community-led initiative originally founded to address waste collection and sustainability on the island. Under their stewardship, Gili Cares evolved into a dynamic and structured operation. What started as an environmental movement is now a fully operational waste logistics system, supported by local businesses and run by island residents who care deeply about the place they call home.

Gili Cares currently operates six pickup carts, each one making daily rounds to collect waste from registered partner businesses. The waste is then transported by boat to Lombok, where it is sorted for recycling or disposal. This logistical improvement alone significantly reduced the accumulation of garbage on the island, but one major issue still loomed: glass bottles.

The Glass Problem

While plastic, paper, and organic waste could be sorted and processed, glass posed a unique challenge. Beer bottles, wine bottles, condiment jars—these were too heavy and fragile to be shipped in bulk affordably, and dangerous to leave unattended. So they accumulated. Year after year.

The result? A mountain of glass—literal tons of bottles—piled up at the Gili Cares headquarters. They couldn’t be disposed of with the regular waste, nor reused easily. As more tourists arrived and more businesses opened, the island’s glass problem grew larger and more urgent.

A Community Comes Together

In June 2024, something changed. Several environmentally conscious businesses on Gili Air pooled their resources and donated funds to Gili Cares, specifically earmarked to tackle the glass issue. Their goal: purchase a glass cutting machine that could begin to process the mountain of bottles into something useful.

It wasn’t an easy journey. Importing specialized equipment to a small island off the coast of Lombok isn’t straightforward. It took nearly a year of waiting, shipping delays, and regulatory hurdles before the glass cutter finally arrived. Even then, Gili Cares had to navigate through layers of bureaucracy to secure the permits to operate it safely and legally.

But as of early 2025, the glass cutter is operational, and the mountain of bottles is finally being reduced—one bottle at a time.

The Birth of Glass Bricks

Here’s where the story gets exciting. Gili Cares didn’t stop at cutting glass bottles. In a true example of island innovation, the team also acquired a brick-making machine.

By combining:

• Sand
• Cement
• Crushed glass powder (produced by the glass cutter)

Gili Cares has created a formula for eco-friendly, durable bricks. These bricks are:

• Twice the size of a standard brick
• Remarkably strong
• Perfect for local construction projects

And they’re made using materials that would otherwise pollute the island.

A Circular Economy on the Horizon

This initiative is not just about solving a garbage problem. It’s about creating a sustainable, circular economy on Gili Air—where waste becomes a resource, not a burden.

Once fully operational, the program offers a series of incredible benefits:

• Removes hazardous waste from the environment
• Reduces the cost of importing building materials
• Empowers local businesses to support sustainability
• Generates potential income through the sale of eco-bricks
• Provides jobs and skill development for local workers

In a place where most construction materials have to be brought from the mainland, having locally produced bricks made from recycled materials is a game-changer.

Still in the Early Stages

While the vision is promising, the brick-making project is still in its development phase. Gili Cares is currently testing different glass-to-sand ratios, curing techniques, and molds. The team is consulting with construction professionals to refine the brick quality, ensuring they meet the standards needed for building homes, walls, and commercial structures.

At the same time, efforts are underway to scale up production and streamline operations. Eventually, Gili Cares plans to make these bricks available for sale to both private builders and commercial developers. Imagine building your dream villa or guesthouse on Gili Air—using materials that helped clean the island.

A Win-Win for the Island

There are very few true win-win situations in waste management. But this is one of them.

• Tourism benefits, because a clean island attracts more visitors.
• The environment benefits, because glass doesn’t end up in landfills or the ocean.
• The local economy benefits, because the bricks are a new product that creates jobs and reduces construction costs.
• Businesses benefit, because they have a responsible way to dispose of their glass waste.
• The community benefits, because it’s a source of pride and inspiration.

Gili Cares has once again shown that island-scale sustainability is possible—but only when the community works together.

Gratitude Where It’s Due

This project wouldn’t have been possible without the collective effort of the Gili Air community. From the young leadersrunning Gili Cares, to the businesses that funded the equipment, to the government offices that approved the permits, and the residents and volunteers who show up every day to sort, lift, and build—every bottle recycled is a small victory for the island.

Special thanks go out to:

• The donors who contributed to the glass cutter machine
• The engineers and technicians helping fine-tune the brick-making process
• The businesses who continue to sort and separate their glass waste
• And the people of Gili Air, who believe that their island deserves better

What Comes Next?

With the success of the glass-to-brick project on the horizon, Gili Cares is already looking at what comes next. Possible future developments include:

• Training programs for local youth to become brick makers and sustainability ambassadors
• Expanding the brick project to Lombok or neighboring islands
• Collaborations with eco-resorts and hotels looking to build sustainably
• Educational campaigns to raise awareness about glass separation

As the island continues to grow, the importance of sustainable infrastructure grows with it. Gili Cares is paving the way—literally—with bricks made from yesterday’s bottles.

How You Can Help

Whether you’re a resident, a traveler, or just someone who loves the Gili Islands, there are ways you can support this initiative:

1. Sort your waste and avoid throwing glass bottles into regular rubbish bins.
2. Support the businesses that participate in Gili Cares programs.
3. Volunteer for cleanup efforts, especially during Gili Cares’ weekly community activities.
4. Spread the word on social media to bring attention to what’s happening here.
5. Donate or sponsor equipment, supplies, or research to improve recycling technology.

Every small action helps build a better future for Gili Air.

A Model for Other Islands

The challenges faced by Gili Air are not unique. Islands across Indonesia and Southeast Asia are struggling with the same waste management issues. But what’s happening here could serve as a blueprint for island-based recycling innovation.

Rather than exporting their problems, Gili Air is finding solutions at home—turning waste into resources, and obstacles into opportunities.

Conclusion: A Brighter Future in Every Brick

The story of glass bottles on Gili Air is no longer one of environmental burden. It’s becoming a story of innovation, collaboration, and resilience.

The mountain of glass that once seemed impossible to tackle is slowly disappearing—transformed into bricks that will help build homes, schools, shops, and dreams.

All thanks to a group of young visionaries who believed their island could do better.

So next time you sip a cold drink on Gili Air, take a moment to think about where that bottle will go. Thanks to Gili Cares, it might just be part of the next wall that rises on this beautiful island.