BADUNG, mybalinews.com – Over the past ten days, Bali has witnessed yet another catastrophic wave of plastic pollution washing ashore at Pantai Kendonganan, Jimbaran.
Sungai Watch, a leading environmental organization, alongside hundreds of volunteers, has worked tirelessly to collect over 25,000 kilograms of plastic waste.
This massive cleanup effort is part of an urgent response to prevent further environmental damage as tides threaten to carry the waste back into the ocean.
Among the debris, two live sea turtles were found trapped beneath layers of plastic, underscoring the devastating impact of marine pollution on wildlife.
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The collected waste predominantly consists of single-use plastic cups and sachets, many bearing the names of brands from Javanese cities, suggesting that the trash may have originated from Java.
This annual wave of plastic pollution has progressively worsened, raising serious concerns about marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
“This isn’t just a local problem; it’s a crisis impacting all of Indonesia,” said Gary Bencheghib, Co-Founder of Sungai Watch.
“The scale of this pollution is staggering, and it requires urgent action from individuals, businesses, and the government to address the root causes of plastic waste.”
Call to Action
This weekend, Sungai Watch is rallying hundreds of volunteers for a final large-scale cleanup effort before rising tides threaten to disperse the plastics back into the ocean.
The organization is also calling on the Indonesian government to relocate the upcoming Aksi Bersih Sampah Laut event, scheduled for Saturday, January 4th, 2025, at 7:00 AM, from Pantai Kuta to Pantai Kendonganan, where the crisis is most critical.
“Pantai Kendonganan needs urgent attention,” Bencheghib added.
“Hosting the national cleanup event here would send a powerful message about tackling marine plastic pollution where it is most visible and impactful.”
A Yearly Alarm
This phenomenon is a recurring reminder of the environmental challenges Bali faces due to insufficient waste management systems and the unchecked use of single-use plastics.
Sungai Watch’s efforts aim not only to clean up the current crisis but also to inspire systemic change by auditing and sorting the collected plastics to identify patterns and advocate for sustainable solutions.
Sungai Watch invites the public, local businesses, and policymakers to join the cleanup effort and take action toward a future free from plastic pollution that will be held at Kedonganan Beach on Saturday (4/1) at 7 a.m. Central Indonesia Time (WITA). (mybalinews/RLS)
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