On 24 and 28 August 2024, community-led clean-up activities aimed at removing marine debris from mangrove habitats were carried out in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, and Deli Serdang, North Sumatra. These initiatives were part of the ‘Pilot Project of Floating and Drifted Marine Plastics in Mangrove,’ organised by the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (ERIA) in collaboration with JAPAN NUS CO, Ltd. (JANUS). The clean-up involved over 100 volunteers from local authorities, waste banks, universities, NGOs, fishing groups, women’s associations, and youth organisations, resulting in the collection of close to one ton of waste.
This campaign was not a one-time effort but is part of a broader strategy to conserve mangrove ecosystems and protect the marine environment. The project focuses on mobilising local communities for long-term clean-up efforts and includes four key pillars:
Surveying the characteristics of plastic debris in selected mangrove sites.
Raising public awareness about the impact of plastic waste on mangroves.
Developing guidelines for clean-up activities and survey methodologies.
Disseminating lessons learned and best practices on a national level.
Since the project’s launch in January 2023, the team has conducted surveys at both sites to understand the composition and volume of plastic debris accumulating in mangrove areas. These results have been used to raise awareness of the harmful effects of plastic pollution and to establish partnerships with local authorities, universities, and community groups. The collaboration aims to empower local stakeholders in environmental conservation efforts and to ensure proper recycling and disposal of collected waste.
However, one key finding is that over 90% of the debris collected was non-recyclable, often contaminated with dirt or organic matter, and had to be sent to landfills. This emphasises the need to reduce plastic waste at the source. The survey also revealed that single-use items such as plastic bags, food packaging, and small sachets are the most common debris found in these mangrove areas. The campaign highlighted the importance of reducing littering and segregating household waste as key measures to protect mangroves.
While eliminating plastic waste leakage into nature is difficult, regular clean-up activities are a necessary component of efforts to protect mangroves from harm.
The project’s findings will be consolidated into two practical knowledge tools: Guidelines for Marine Litter Surveys in Mangroves and Guidelines for Marine Litter Clean-Up Activities in Mangrove Areas. These resources will provide valuable insights into the long-term management of plastic waste in natural ecosystems.
A workshop will be held in Jakarta at the end of 2024 to present the project’s findings. This event will also offer stakeholders the opportunity to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and strengthen national efforts to protect mangroves from plastic pollution.
On 24 and 28 August 2024, community-led clean-up activities aimed at removing marine debris from mangrove habitats were carried out in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, and Deli Serdang, North Sumatra. These initiatives were part of the ‘Pilot Project of Floating and Drifted Marine Plastics in Mangrove,’ organised by the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (ERIA) in collaboration with JAPAN NUS CO, Ltd. (JANUS). The clean-up involved over 100 volunteers from local authorities, waste banks, universities, NGOs, fishing groups, women’s associations, and youth organisations, resulting in the collection of close to one ton of waste.
This campaign was not a one-time effort but is part of a broader strategy to conserve mangrove ecosystems and protect the marine environment. The project focuses on mobilising local communities for long-term clean-up efforts and includes four key pillars:
Surveying the characteristics of plastic debris in selected mangrove sites.
Raising public awareness about the impact of plastic waste on mangroves.
Developing guidelines for clean-up activities and survey methodologies.
Disseminating lessons learned and best practices on a national level.
Since the project’s launch in January 2023, the team has conducted surveys at both sites to understand the composition and volume of plastic debris accumulating in mangrove areas. These results have been used to raise awareness of the harmful effects of plastic pollution and to establish partnerships with local authorities, universities, and community groups. The collaboration aims to empower local stakeholders in environmental conservation efforts and to ensure proper recycling and disposal of collected waste.
However, one key finding is that over 90% of the debris collected was non-recyclable, often contaminated with dirt or organic matter, and had to be sent to landfills. This emphasises the need to reduce plastic waste at the source. The survey also revealed that single-use items such as plastic bags, food packaging, and small sachets are the most common debris found in these mangrove areas. The campaign highlighted the importance of reducing littering and segregating household waste as key measures to protect mangroves.
While eliminating plastic waste leakage into nature is difficult, regular clean-up activities are a necessary component of efforts to protect mangroves from harm.
The project’s findings will be consolidated into two practical knowledge tools: Guidelines for Marine Litter Surveys in Mangroves and Guidelines for Marine Litter Clean-Up Activities in Mangrove Areas. These resources will provide valuable insights into the long-term management of plastic waste in natural ecosystems.
A workshop will be held in Jakarta at the end of 2024 to present the project’s findings. This event will also offer stakeholders the opportunity to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and strengthen national efforts to protect mangroves from plastic pollution.
