5 MIN READ
05-08-2026
Tanjungan Beach Cleanup Protects a Hidden Coastal Gem
Dika, 4ocean Jembrana Content Correspondent
Tanjungan Beach in Bangsring Village is known as one of Banyuwangi’s hidden coastal gems. Its calm shoreline and clear waters reveal thriving coral reefs beneath the surface, offering visitors a glimpse of the rich marine life that still survives in the area. But behind the beauty of the beach lies another reality: waste pollution continues to threaten the coastline and surrounding ecosystem.
To help protect the area, the 4ocean Java Beach Team returned to Tanjungan Beach for another cleanup mission. The crew departed early from the 4ocean Java base, traveling more than 50 kilometers to reach the shoreline. After nearly an hour and a half on the road, the team arrived and was immediately welcomed by the contrast between the beach’s natural beauty and the scattered debris spread across the sand.
Before starting the cleanup, all crew members geared up with boots and personal protective equipment. The operation began on the northern side of the beach before gradually moving south along the coastline. The team carefully combed through the sand, vegetation, and rocky areas where waste had become trapped.
As the cleanup continued, the scale of the pollution became increasingly clear. Trash was not concentrated in a single location, but scattered across almost the entire shoreline. Crew members repeatedly carried heavy sacks over long distances back to the designated weighing point. Despite the exhausting conditions, the team continued working under the heat and sea breeze with determination.
Step by step, piles of collected waste began to grow.
By the end of the cleanup, the 4ocean Java Beach Team had collected 554.9 pounds of waste across 44 sacks. The debris included plastic bags, bottles, foam, plastic cups, sandals, rope from fishing nets, shoes, cans, bamboo, driftwood, and other mixed waste materials that had washed ashore.
For the team, the cleanup was about more than removing trash. “As long as the beach can return to being clean and pristine, we will face any challenge together,” said crew member Deni Pratama. “The 4ocean Java Beach Team will remain committed to preserving the beauty of our coasts for a better environmental future. For us, every piece of waste collected is a tangible step toward restoring our marine ecosystem.”
One of the biggest challenges during the operation was transporting the filled sacks back to the weighing point. Since the waste was spread along nearly the entire coastline, the crew had to make repeated trips carrying heavy loads across long distances.
Still, the team pressed on, driven by the understanding that beaches like Tanjungan are worth protecting.
The growing amount of debris along the shoreline is more than just an aesthetic problem. Waste pollution threatens coral reefs, marine habitats, and the livelihoods of communities that depend on healthy oceans. Plastic that enters coastal ecosystems can break down into microplastics, creating long-term environmental consequences for marine life and people alike.
The cleanup at Tanjungan Beach serves as another reminder that protecting the ocean begins with everyday actions. Proper waste disposal, reducing single-use plastics, and participating in cleanup efforts all play a role in preserving these coastal ecosystems for future generations
Because behind every clean shoreline is a continued effort to keep the ocean alive..
