5 MIN READ
04-17-2025
From the River to the Sea: The Fight Against Plastic Waste at Bago River
Dika, 4ocean Jembrana Content Correspondent
On a humid April morning, the 4ocean Java crew set out on a mission that was equal parts urgency and endurance. Their destination: the Bago River estuary, a hidden yet critical frontline in the battle against plastic pollution.
This estuary isn’t just another cleanup site—it’s a gateway. Formed by the convergence of the Pangpang, Sraten, and Kebaman Rivers, the Bago River acts as a funnel for waste, pushing plastic and debris into the coastal waters of Muncar and beyond. What enters here doesn’t stay here—it ends up in the sea.
With sacks, ropes, weighing scales, and determination loaded onto their boat, the team braved high tides and strong winds during a 45-minute river journey. Captain Prayoga Setiawan, along with teammates Ady Prastyo, Biatra Mardianto, Darys Eka Setiawan, Dandi Rizky Asnanda, Hendrik Prastyo, and Zoelham Widya Mukti, worked against the elements and through the mangroves.
“I will keep fighting against the constant flow of waste and do my best to maximize this work to achieve our shared dream: a clean environment,” said crew member Biatra Mardianto. “I won’t complain, no matter the circumstances, because I believe that consistent effort will always lead to satisfying results. Thank you, 4ocean.”
Once at the estuary, the crew moved swiftly:
- They collected debris from the shoreline and mangrove areas.
- Sorted the waste by material type.
- Hauled everything onto the boat, which was then transported to the Wringin Putih dock.
- From there, all waste was weighed and taken to the 4ocean Java base.
In just one mission, the team collected 1,942.6 lbs of waste:
- Plastic Waste (1,522.2 lbs): bags, bottles, cups, foam, plates, even plastic carpets.
- Non-Plastic Waste (420.4 lbs): dolls, fabric, clothes, shoes, tires, and more.
It wasn’t without hazards. Docking the boat safely required lashing it to mangrove trees due to strong winds. The crew also had to be careful with sharp seashells hidden beneath layers of garbage and dig through mud-heavy plastic waste that had settled into the estuary bed.
Yet their resolve never wavered.
The cleanup at Bago River was more than just an environmental action—it was a message: what we do upstream matters downstream. This estuary is where rivers meet the sea, and without action here, plastic would continue its silent journey into marine ecosystems.
This effort was made possible by the incredible work of the 4ocean Java team and the ongoing support of the 4ocean Foundation, whose mission empowers cleanup crews around the world to protect our planet, one piece of trash at a time.
