5 MIN READ
11-24-2025
Salt Life’s Support Helps Clear Plastic from Bagorejo Dam
Dika, 4ocean Jembrana Content Correspondent
Today, the Riverboom team of 4ocean Java, with the support of our partner Salt Life, carried out an urgent cleanup at the Bagorejo Dam. Heavy rainfall in the previous days had caused trash from surrounding areas to flow downstream, clogging the dam and disrupting its water flow. The team arrived equipped with sacks, ropes, nets, metal rakes, a canoe, and protective gear. After a quick briefing, they immediately began clearing waste to restore the dam’s function and prevent further environmental impact.
Despite challenges including uneven riverbeds, large bamboo poles, and micro-waste scattered in the current, the crew worked efficiently. Dozens of fully filled sacks were collected, sorted by type, and transported back to the 4ocean Java base for proper disposal. By the end of the day, the dam’s water flow was restored, reflecting the tangible impact of consistent cleanup efforts.
The Bagorejo Dam cleanup removed a total of 939.9 lbs of waste across 25 sacks. This included 857.7 lbs of plastic waste: bottles, cups, bags, snack wrappers, styrofoam, containers, sandals, hats, and more; collected in 24 sacks, along with 82.2 lbs of mixed waste in a single sack. This effort cleared the dam of accumulated debris, improved water flow, and reduced the immediate risk of flooding and downstream pollution.
Ari Surya Prayoga, Captain of the Riverboom team, reflected: "I have encountered many meaningful experiences while conducting cleanups in different locations, and each one brings its own challenges. Yet, knowing that our work contributes positively to environmental cleanliness motivates me to keep going. I am sincerely grateful to 4ocean Java and Salt Life for supporting these efforts. I truly hope that through consistent action and community awareness, we can solve the waste problem that threatens all forms of life."
The cleanup came with several obstacles: large bamboo poles and wooden logs required extra effort to remove, uneven riverbeds forced the crew to use a canoe to reach waste in deeper or steeper sections, and micro-waste carried by the current demanded meticulous, time-consuming collection. Despite these challenges, the Riverboom team stayed focused and successfully restored the dam’s functionality.
The Bagorejo Dam cleanup highlights the broader issue of plastic pollution caused by community habits of disposing trash into rivers. While today’s action temporarily restored water flow, long-term impact depends on raising awareness and encouraging proper waste management. Salt Life’s support played an essential role in enabling this hands-on action, reinforcing the message that partnerships and community engagement are vital for protecting waterways.
Through these efforts, 4ocean Java continues to work toward cleaner rivers and healthier ecosystems, leaving a legacy of environmental responsibility for current and future generations.
