Who is behind Makan?

Established in 2021 by partners Chantal Rae and Satya ‘Ary’ Wirajati, Makan is a company dedicated to making global environmental change, by eliminating single-use plastics.

The duo’s vision and mission reflect their individual journeys that blended effortlessly when they met in Bali, Indonesia, in 2020. With backgrounds in international education and hospitality, the pair are grounded in their mutual love of the environment and education. The ‘ying and yang’ pair created Makan bags after seeing first-hand the devastating effects plastics have on their island home of Bali. Makan aims to provide schools, families, communities, and individuals with a fun, vibrant, easy alternative to single-use plastics.

Why was Makan created?

After moving to Bali in 2020 for an international teaching position, Chantal was faced with the hard reality and devastation that single-use plastic had on her new island home. She recalls “It just appeared more ‘hidden’ in Australia and in plain sight in Bali, however I know this isn’t the case. Single use plastic is a major global issue.” In every pocket of this island paradise lay wrappers, straws, bags, and packaging. The impact of plastic was never more evident. “It’s everywhere, in our oceans, harming our wildlife and our health”. Before relocating to Bali, Chantal worked at Blackwood Primary School in South Australia, a school dedicated to empowering students about global environmental concerns. With the notion of ‘nude food’ still looming larging in her mind, the concept of reusable multiuse bags and the dream to support every Australian school in becoming ‘plastic free’ was created!