5 MIN READ
09-01-2026
Cleaning Up What the River Left Behind
Ferdi Wardika & Reza Pahlevi, 4ocean Jembrana Content Correspondent
When plastic pollution builds up along a river, its impact does not always stay within the waterway. During a recent cleanup at the Cangaan River, the 4ocean Java Riverboom Team responded to reports of waste that had overflowed from the river and become scattered throughout the surrounding area.
After receiving information about the buildup, Riverboom Team Captain Ari Surya Prayoga led the crew in preparing the equipment needed for the cleanup. Equipped with personal protective equipment, iron claws, ropes, sacks, and twig brooms, the team traveled to the Cangaan River ready to remove the waste and restore the affected area.
Upon arrival, the crew found debris scattered across several locations. Previous overflow had carried waste beyond the river, depositing it along the surrounding landscape. The team began with the areas experiencing the heaviest accumulation before moving through other sections of the site, carefully collecting plastic, mixed waste, and non-plastic debris from the riverbed and surrounding areas.
The cleanup revealed a wide variety of waste, including organic materials such as food scraps, branches, bamboo leaves, and other natural debris. The team also recovered inorganic waste, including plastic bottles, plastic plates, Styrofoam, plastic bags, food packaging, straws, pipes, nets, clothing, and sandals.
Impact Details
After several hours of work, the team collected 524.8 pounds of waste across 11 sacks. This included 206.5 pounds of plastic waste across seven sacks, 122.1 pounds of mixed waste across three sacks, and 196.2 pounds of non-plastic waste in one sack. The collected debris was weighed and recorded before being transported back to the 4ocean Java base for further handling and processing.
Cleaning the Cangaan River presented challenges beyond simply collecting visible debris. The river is divided into several smaller channels with low water flow, causing waste to become mixed with mud along the riverbed. Separating the debris from the mud required additional time and effort.
The team also encountered large amounts of micro-waste scattered throughout the smaller water channels. Because these pieces were so small and widespread, the crew had to carefully inspect the area to ensure as much debris as possible was removed.
Giving Back to the Ocean
“I have experienced many things throughout this work, and it has taught me how important cleanliness is for maintaining good health and protecting ourselves from diseases that can threaten human lives.”
— Ari Surya Prayoga
A Problem That Requires Continued Action
The pollution found at the Cangaan River is a reminder that much of the waste reaching rivers, coastlines, and oceans originates on land. Improper waste disposal continues to put pressure on waterways and surrounding ecosystems, even in areas where cleanup teams work consistently to intercept and remove debris.
Despite regular cleanup efforts at the Cangaan Riverboom site, significant amounts of waste continue to accumulate. Creating meaningful change will require more than cleanup operations alone. It requires greater awareness, responsible waste management, and a collective commitment to preventing trash from entering waterways in the first place.
Every cleanup is an opportunity to protect the environment while reminding us that rivers are not meant to be dumping grounds. Through continued action at the Cangaan River and waterways across Java, the 4ocean team remains committed to stopping pollution before it can travel farther downstream and eventually reach the ocean.
