5 MIN READ
02-22-2025
Fighting Plastic Waste on Santen Island: Small Steps, Big Impact
Dika, 4ocean Bali Content Correspondent
On February 22, 2025, the 4ocean Java team set out on a mission to clean Santen Island, a beautiful yet troubled beach located between a river and the ocean near downtown Banyuwangi. The team traveled 34 km from the 4ocean Java base to reach this location, which is frequently impacted by plastic waste brought in by river currents, especially after floods. In addition, local tourism and community activities contribute significantly to the problem, with single-use plastics being left behind by visitors. If left unchecked, this waste would eventually make its way into the ocean, spreading along the coastline and harming marine life. The clean-up was not just a physical effort but a call to raise awareness about the impact of waste, both on land and in the sea.
As part of their efforts, the team combed through the beach to collect scattered waste, then carefully sorted it into plastic and non-plastic categories. The waste was weighed and documented for data recording, before being transported to a more accessible area. Due to the location’s inaccessibility by truck, the team had to use motorcycles to transport the collected waste across a bridge to a designated truck-accessible point. This creative solution helped ensure that the waste could be evacuated efficiently, even in difficult conditions.
In total, the team removed 1,686.86 lbs of waste from the island, with 576.2 lbs being plastic waste, including plastic bags, straws, bottles, and food wrappers. The remaining 1,110.66 lbs consisted of non-plastic waste such as fabric, cans, and glass bottles. With 29 sacks used to store the waste, the team’s efforts were a crucial step in reducing the environmental damage caused by pollution. Every item collected was a reminder of the broader challenge of waste management in tourist areas, where the balance between enjoying nature and preserving it often becomes fragile.
Raka Bahtiyan, a member of the 4ocean Java team, reflected on the importance of these clean-up efforts:
“I am very happy to be part of the 4ocean Java beach team because I get to do clean-ups on various beaches. This allows me to see firsthand how the beaches we visit for tourism can be filled with trash. This issue can make visitors uncomfortable and lead them to leave the beach. The 4ocean team provides a solution to this problem through real action—clean-ups. A clean and healthy beach will attract more tourists, which in turn can have a positive economic impact on the local community.”
The team encountered a few challenges during the clean-up, including strong winds and big waves, which spread trash further along the shore. To combat this, they worked quickly, ensuring they completed the clean-up before the tide could rise too high. Additionally, some of the plastic waste was buried deep in the sand, requiring extra time and effort to dig out. The distance from the beach to the truck-accessible area posed another logistical challenge, but the team’s quick thinking and use of motorcycles to transport the waste ensured that it could be evacuated efficiently.
The issue of plastic waste on Santen Island is a stark reminder of the wider problem facing beaches and oceans worldwide. Plastic waste takes a long time to decompose, and during that time, it poses a significant threat to marine and terrestrial ecosystems alike. Beyond ruining the natural beauty of the beach, this pollution can endanger marine life and even harm humans. The 4ocean Java team’s clean-up is a step in the right direction, but it’s clear that much more needs to be done. Awareness of the impact of waste is key to changing behavior and ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy these beautiful beaches and oceans. By taking real action through clean-ups like this, the 4ocean team is working toward a cleaner, healthier environment that benefits both local communities and the planet.
