5 MIN READ
05-13-2025
Blambangan River Boom: Challenges and Community Impact
Dika, 4ocean Jembrana Content Correspondent
When Water Carries More Than Just Memories
Tucked away in the heart of Blambangan Village, a modest river boom has become a frontline defense against plastic pollution—and the 4ocean Java River Boom Team knows it well. On May 13, 2025, Saiful Kirom and his crew—Mohammad Hasyim Muzadi and Aby Amanda Putra—returned to this critical checkpoint to carry out a routine cleanup that would highlight both the effectiveness and urgency of their work.
As water surged through the ditch, the river boom trap functioned just as intended: collecting a shocking array of plastic waste. From bottles and bags to toothbrushes and sandals, the boom had caught more than just trash—it had captured a snapshot of the environmental habits upstream.
Equipped with sacks, ropes, and hooks known locally as arco, the team moved quickly. They cleared the trap and its surroundings, sorted the waste, and then weighed it on-site before loading the collected materials onto a truck bound for the 4ocean Java base.
The Results: A Tangible Weight of Responsibility
The dominant type of debris? Inorganic plastic—an alarming testament to how much single-use packaging still makes its way into everyday waste streams. Among the more common items were foam fragments, plastic cups, and discarded sandals. These aren’t just eyesores; they’re long-lasting pollutants that threaten both biodiversity and human well-being.
The cleanup resulted in:
- 6 sacks of waste
- Total weight: 236.2 lbs
“Stay motivated and never complain about the challenges and circumstances we face,” said Aby Amanda Putra after the cleanup. “Because everything we do holds great value for a better future and the continuation of life. 4ocean will always be in our hearts.”
When Awareness Lags Behind
While the cleanup faced no physical obstacles, the bigger challenge remains: public awareness. The presence of such large volumes of plastic in a community ditch suggests that habitual dumping still persists. This low awareness of the dangers of single-use plastic leads to:
- Water flow blockages that increase the risk of local flooding.
- Ingestion risks for animals who mistake plastic for food.
- A decrease in overall quality of life, with polluted environments affecting community health and well-being.
The Blambangan river boom is doing its part—but the real solution lies further upstream, in behavior and belief.
