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Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
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Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
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Want to volunteer with an environmental conservation initiative in Sumatra? Our Travel Roots Plastic Pollution and Environmental Conservation Program is the perfect opportunity to combine hands-on sustainability work with community-led impact in one of Indonesia’s most inspiring eco-projects.
This program is based in what’s fast becoming Southeast Asia’s largest recycling village—a bold and innovative space built on the belief that community action can reverse the effects of plastic pollution. Volunteers here help drive change across four key project areas: recycling innovation, waste management, green education, and habitat conservation.
Take part in meaningful, hands-on environmental action. Your role will vary depending on the needs of the community, but typical tasks include:
• Village construction using recycled materials
• Eco-brick making and waste collection
• Teaching environmental education in local schools
• Gardening, permaculture, and herbal plant maintenance
• Tree planting and reforestation projects
• Landscaping and community space design
• Litter picking and river clean-ups
• Maintaining a nursery for native plants and seedlings
• Supporting workshops and green awareness campaigns
• Data entry, conservation planning, and sustainability projectsBring your creativity to life. Volunteers are encouraged to contribute ideas to improve processes, decorate the village using sustainable materials, or develop new ways to engage the local community. Whether it’s an art project, a new system for sorting waste, or a workshop design, your creativity has a place here.
Work alongside like-minded changemakers. You’ll join a passionate team of local and international volunteers who share the goal of building a cleaner, greener future—brick by brick, tree by tree, and heart by heart.
Whether you stay for one week or six months, your experience here will leave you deeply connected to the land, the people, and the mission.
By volunteering on our Plastic Pollution and Environmental Conservation Program in Sumatra, you will:
Support the development of Southeast Asia’s largest recycling village
Help reduce plastic waste through eco-brick making and clean-up initiatives
Educate local youth on sustainability and environmental protection
Get hands-on with permaculture, gardening, and herbal plant care
Assist in reforestation and tree planting efforts across local landscapes
Live and work in a vibrant, eco-conscious volunteer community
Contribute creatively to infrastructure, workshops, and community design
Experience the cultural and natural richness of northern Sumatra
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Environmental Conservation Volunteer in Sumatra
Every day in the recycling village is filled with purpose, creativity, and connection. With a flexible schedule and a wide range of project areas, no two days are exactly the same—but each is an opportunity to learn something new and leave a lasting impact.
Here’s what a typical volunteer day might look like:
7:30 AM – Morning Start & Breakfast
Wake up in your eco-lodge to the sounds of nature. Begin your day with a communal breakfast, sharing stories and plans with your fellow volunteers.8:30 AM – Morning Briefing & Task Assignments
Gather for a short team briefing to review the day’s priorities. Depending on the schedule, you may be assigned to tasks in the recycling village, the plant nursery, the permaculture garden, or local schools.9:00 AM – Project Work Begins
Dive into your morning tasks, which might include:
•Litter picking and eco-brick making
•Gardening, composting, or herbal plant care
•Assisting in construction or decorating of eco-buildings
•Preparing materials for school education sessions
•Tree planting or seedling maintenance
•Helping with data tracking or sustainability planning12:00 PM – Lunch Break & Rest
Refuel with a nourishing lunch, usually prepared using fresh, local ingredients. This is also a great time to relax, journal, or chat with the team in the shade.2:00 PM – Afternoon Session
Continue your project work or switch to a new activity for the afternoon. You may:
•Run an environmental workshop with local children
•Join a permaculture session and learn new growing techniques
•Help paint or landscape around the village
•Contribute to design or creative tasks that improve shared spaces4:30 PM – Free Time & Reflection
The structured workday winds down, giving you time to rest, explore the area, go for a nature walk, or catch up on reading or journaling.6:30 PM – Dinner & Community Circle
Enjoy a relaxed evening meal with your team, followed by optional group activities like film nights, sustainability talks, or reflection circles.Evenings
Many nights are free to unwind or participate in cultural exchange, games, music, or planning sessions. The sky here is often filled with stars—perfect for quiet moments under the trees.Days Off
You’ll have two days off per week to explore the surrounding area. Popular activities include jungle trekking, visiting local waterfalls, exploring Bukit Lawang, or learning about traditional village life with the local community.This is a space where structure meets freedom—and every day, your actions ripple out into a cleaner, greener future.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
Volunteering on this program means being part of something bigger than yourself—a community-led movement that is rewriting the story of plastic waste, one ecobrick at a time. Every action you take here helps to build a world where waste becomes resource, and environmental education becomes empowerment.
Your contribution supports more than just recycling. By collecting plastic waste, crafting ecobricks, planting trees, and building sustainable infrastructure, you’re helping create the first functioning waste management system in the region. The public buildings you help construct from reused materials serve as a symbol of hope—and a blueprint for a more circular future.
When you run a workshop for children, you’re not just sharing knowledge—you’re sparking a shift in mindset. When you help plant herbs in the botanical garden, you’re not just gardening—you’re supporting traditional healing practices and future food security.
And the impact doesn’t end when your program does. The eco-structures you help create, the trees you plant, and the young people you inspire continue to grow long after you leave. You’ll walk away with more than new skills—you’ll carry forward a story of resilience, creativity, and purpose that will shape how you live, lead, and give back.
This isn’t just volunteer work. It’s meaningful action for the planet—and a powerful step in your own journey as a changemaker.
Your Riverside Home in the Heart of the Rainforest
Your accommodation is nestled along the edge of the rainforest, offering peaceful views, the sounds of flowing water, and total immersion in the natural world you’re helping to protect. It’s simple, rustic, and full of charm—designed for low-impact living and deep connection to the environment.
Sleeping Arrangements
Volunteers stay in traditional huts dotted along the riverbank, each built using sustainable materials. Whether you prefer something basic or a bit more comfortable, there’s a space to suit everyone. All huts are fitted with mosquito nets and provide mattresses and blankets to ensure a safe and restful night.
Facilities
•Shared bathroom facilities with cold water showers
•Mosquito-proof rooms with netting
•Communal kitchen area
•Outdoor dining space with forest views
•No air-conditioning—but natural airflow and shade keep things cool
•Wi-Fi is limited; a local SIM card is recommended for data accessMeals & Nutrition
Your stay includes three fresh, locally-prepared meals per day (Monday to Saturday). Meals are typically Indonesian-style, with a plant-based focus and hearty portions to fuel your volunteer work. Sundays are your chance to explore and enjoy the local food scene—nearby warungs offer a variety of authentic dishes at affordable prices.
Sustainable Living
The accommodation reflects the project's eco-conscious ethos: low energy use, minimal waste, and a focus on living in harmony with the surrounding environment. You’ll learn to live simply and mindfully, discovering just how little you need to feel fulfilled.
Please note: Accommodation fees are not included in the program cost and must be paid in cash upon arrival.
History
In northern Sumatra, where lush rainforests are being lost to monoculture plantations and plastic pollution chokes rivers and villages, a powerful grassroots movement has emerged. What began in 2019 as a bold idea to tackle the plastic crisis has since evolved into one of Southeast Asia’s most innovative environmental initiatives.
The spark? An ecobrick deposit system. While the use of ecobricks—plastic bottles densely packed with waste—was already known globally, the introduction of a local deposit incentive transformed it into a catalyst for community action. Suddenly, plastic waste had value, and entire communities were motivated to clean up their environment and use the materials to build a better future.
Since its founding, the project has built seven public structures entirely from ecobricks, with more under construction. More than 220 tonnes of plastic waste have been collected, cleaned, and reused. In collaboration with local partners and regional government, work is now underway to establish the first official waste management system in the region.
Mission & Vision
This project exists to create long-lasting environmental and social impact—turning waste into opportunity, and empowering communities to become part of the solution. The mission is clear: to reduce plastic pollution, restore biodiversity, and build sustainable systems that uplift both people and planet.
Their vision goes far beyond clean streets. With over 35,000 trees planted and multiple conservation and animal welfare programs underway, they’re shaping a model for eco-conscious living that blends innovation, education, and regeneration. Through continual learning and collaboration with global supporters, this project proves what’s possible when purpose meets action.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Volunteer Program Fees
Duration Weekly Rate Example Total
1–2 Weeks €139/week €278 (2 weeks)
2–4 Weeks €125/week €500 (4 weeks)
1–2 Months €112/week €896 (8 weeks)
2–4 Months €95/week €1,520 (16 weeks)
4–6 Months €80/week €1,920 (24 weeks)
Fees are due 30 days before your start date, or within 48 hours if applying within that timeframe.
Accommodation Fees
Accommodation is paid separately upon arrival in cash. Choose the setup that suits your style and budget:
Accommodation Type Occupancy Cost Per Night (EUR) Chicken Hut 1 person €12
2 persons €18
Single Bungalow 1 person €15
Deluxe Bungalow 1 person €18
2 persons €24
All options include mosquito protection, shared bathroom access, and three meals per day (Monday–Saturday).
What’s Included in Your Program Fee
✅ Full volunteer placement and coordination across recycling, education, and conservation areas
✅ All materials and tools needed for daily project work
✅ Environmental training, workshops, and skill-building sessions
✅ Three fresh local meals daily (Mon–Sat)
✅ Welcome pack with useful information and tips
✅ Flexible scheduling and support throughout your stay
✅ Full support before, during, and after your program
✅ 100% Cancellation Money-Back Guarantee
✅ So much moreYour Investment in the Planet and Yourself
This is more than just a volunteer trip—it’s a personal investment in positive change. You’ll leave knowing your time directly contributed to reducing plastic pollution, educating future changemakers, and supporting long-term conservation goals.
Whether you stay for a short visit or a six-month deep dive, your impact will last far beyond your final day in Sumatra.
Come and help us battle plastic pollution for only:
This program is designed to make environmental action accessible while directly supporting long-term sustainability goals in the region. Your fees contribute to recycling innovation, conservation work, and education programs—ensuring your time here makes a real, lasting impact.
Where You’ll Be – Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra
Your volunteer base is located just outside Bukit Lawang, a lively and eco-conscious village nestled on the edge of the stunning Gunung Leuser National Park. Surrounded by lush rainforest and crisscrossed by winding rivers, this region is a hub for sustainable travel, wildlife conservation, and community development.
From your riverside accommodation, you’ll wake up to the sound of jungle birds and fall asleep under star-filled skies. The village offers a unique mix of rustic charm and purpose-driven living, with everything you need close by—including local warungs (restaurants), fruit stalls, and handicraft shops. While remote in feel, Bukit Lawang is accessible from Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, via a scenic 3–4 hour drive.
Here, nature and community come together in a setting that’s both peaceful and powerfully motivating.
Sumatra – One of Indonesia’s Wildest Islands
Sumatra is a land of contrasts—untamed jungles, cascading waterfalls, volcanic peaks, and vibrant village life. It’s one of the few places on Earth where endangered species such as orangutans, elephants, and Sumatran tigers still roam freely in the wild. The island is also home to ancient forests and a rich cultural heritage that reflects the deep connection between people and nature.
The climate in this region is tropical and humid year-round, with warm days, frequent rain showers, and cooler nights in the hills. It’s a paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone eager to get off the beaten path and immerse themselves in something real.
Life here is slower, simpler, and more intentional. It invites you to reconnect—with the land, with others, and with yourself.
While your days will be filled with rewarding project work, your free time is a chance to explore the natural beauty and cultural richness of Bukit Lawang and beyond. With two days off per week and relaxed evenings, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to unwind, connect, and adventure.
Here are just a few of the incredible experiences you can enjoy during your stay:
Jungle Trekking in Gunung Leuser National Park
Join a certified local guide for an unforgettable trek through one of the most biodiverse rainforests on Earth. Spot orangutans, gibbons, Thomas leaf monkeys, and countless bird species in their natural habitat.
River Tubing Adventures
Float down the Bohorok River with your fellow volunteers—an easy-going way to cool off and enjoy the scenic surroundings.
Village Walks & Cultural Immersion
Visit nearby villages, learn about traditional Indonesian crafts, or enjoy a coffee with local farmers while soaking in everyday life on the edge of the rainforest.
Waterfall Hikes
Take a short jungle hike to hidden waterfalls perfect for a refreshing dip and serene relaxation.
Local Cooking Classes
Learn to prepare authentic Indonesian dishes using fresh, local ingredients. A fun and delicious way to connect with the culture!
Weekend Trips to Lake Toba or Berastagi
On longer breaks, head out to explore more of North Sumatra. Lake Toba offers volcanic landscapes and traditional Batak culture, while Berastagi is known for its cooler climate and scenic mountain views.
Yoga, Art, and Forest Meditation
Unwind with yoga sessions, journaling, or meditation in a tranquil natural setting. Many volunteers also contribute to eco-art or mural projects around the village.
Whether you’re tubing down a river, cooking over a fire, or trekking through ancient jungle, your free time in Sumatra is all about balance—restoring yourself while experiencing the soul of this incredible island.
