5 MIN READ
04-29-2025
Into the Mangroves: 4ocean Java Navigates Santen’s Waters to Fight Plastic Waste
Kubik, 4ocean Jembrana Content Correspondent
On April 29, 2025, the River Boom crew from 4ocean Java launched a sweeping cleanup operation in the riverways of Santen Island—an ecologically rich area nestled just 32 kilometers east of Banyuwangi City. This estuarine zone, where mangroves and tide converge, has become increasingly choked by plastic waste flowing downstream, threatening the health of coastal ecosystems and the lives they sustain.
To meet the challenge, the entire River Boom team was mobilized and split into two squads: one navigating the waterways by canoe, the other covering the surrounding land and beach. Together, they formed a fluid operation—synchronized like the river’s own currents.
The Canoe Team took on the harder-to-reach zones, gliding through the tangled mangrove roots and scooping up floating debris. Meanwhile, the Land Team scoured the shoreline, where trash had embedded itself in the sand and shrubbery. Over the course of the day, they pulled out a staggering 1,246.3 lbs of plastic waste, ranging from food containers and foam packaging to bottles, bags, and even full plastic plates. An additional 174.2 lbs of non-plastic items—including old shoes, milk cans, car tires, and clothing—rounded out the haul.
Imang William Azhar, one of the crew members, shared what the work means to him:
“I’m truly happy to work here, as every day brings a new location and a unique experience. This makes the job enjoyable and full of variety. Moreover, what the 4ocean Java team is doing also brings a positive impact to the environment, especially in addressing the plastic waste problem.”
Among the floating waste were plastic bags, styrofoam, bottles, sacks, even dolls—a brutal mosaic of human neglect. But the most heart-wrenching sight wasn’t the trash. It was what was caught inside it.
Despite the challenges, spirits were high. The joy of being outdoors, the satisfaction of seeing progress, and the bond of shared labor made for a powerful day. There was a collective sense that this effort—rooted in muddy banks and plastic-slicked water—wasn’t just a cleanup. It was a defense. A commitment. A gesture of hope for the river and everything living in it.
