5 MIN READ
03-26-2025
Rescuing the Roots: 4ocean Java Team Tackles Post-Flood Plastic in Setail’s Mangroves
Dika, 4ocean Jembrana Content Correspondent
When floodwaters recede, they often leave behind more than just soaked soil and scattered debris. In the case of the Setail River, the aftermath was far more insidious: hundreds of pounds of plastic trash tangled in the roots of a vital mangrove forest.
On March 26, 2025, the 4ocean Java River Team—led by Captain Aby Amanda Putra—launched a boat-powered cleanup mission to do something about it. The area they were targeting wasn’t easy to reach, but that didn’t stop the crew from gearing up and pushing through muddy banks and swampy terrain to protect one of nature’s most important ecosystems.
“I’m truly proud to be part of 4ocean,” said Captain Aby. “It’s been an incredible journey for me because everything I do is part of a mission to protect life from plastic pollution.”
As they navigated the Setail River, the crew carefully scouted the mangrove zones where the flood had deposited large quantities of plastic and non-plastic waste. The terrain was tough—thick mud sucked at their boots, and the dense mangrove roots made every step a calculated one. At times, they had to delicately extract plastic bags and wrappers tangled deep within the roots without damaging the fragile ecosystem they were there to protect.
With teamwork and determination, the crew removed a total of 1,724.6 pounds of waste from the area. That included:
- 816.5 lbs of plastic waste, including bottles, bags, food wrappers, and straws
- 908.1 lbs of non-plastic waste, such as cardboard, glass bottles, shoes, and fabric
Each item was weighed and tracked using 4ocean’s barcode system before being loaded onto the boat and transported to the Wringinputih dock. From there, the waste was trucked to the 4ocean Java base for sorting and proper disposal.
This cleanup was more than just a response to a flood—it was a call to action for better waste management. As the team reflected on the day, they recognized that climate change and careless human habits are colliding in dangerous ways. The flood didn’t just carry water—it carried the consequences of a throwaway culture.
“Unpredictable weather is making life harder for all living things,” said one team member. “When people throw waste into rivers, floods carry it into places like the mangroves, where it can do serious damage.”
Despite the tough conditions, the team finished the day proud and energized—knowing their efforts helped protect not just the Setail River’s wildlife, but the broader ocean it flows into. And they’ll be back, again and again, as long as the mission continues.
