5 MIN READ

01-07-2025

The Hidden Cost of Convenience: Cleaning Up Kedungu Beach’s Plastic Sandal Crisis

Ucik, 4ocean Bali Content Correspondent

     On January 7, 2025, the 4ocean Denpasar team, led by Captain Agus, arrived at Kedungu Beach for their latest cleanup mission. Known for its stunning views, Kedungu Beach has increasingly become a repository for plastic waste. As the team ventured a kilometer down the shoreline, they stumbled upon a pile of driftwood deposited by recent floods. But this wasn’t just natural debris—entangled within the wood was a startling amount of plastic trash, including an overwhelming number of discarded shoes and sandals.

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     The crew worked tirelessly to extract the tangled waste, filling dozens of bags with plastic sandals alone. Despite their efforts, they knew their collection barely scratched the surface of the problem. Most of the waste remained buried among the driftwood, hidden yet waiting to re-enter the ocean with the next strong tide.

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Reflecting on their discovery, team member Wiradana commented:

“It’s heartbreaking to see so much plastic waste, especially knowing it’s preventable. We need to focus on recycling and raising awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution.”

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     The sheer volume of sandals collected sparked a team discussion: should the focus be on reducing plastic consumption, recycling, or both? For now, they channeled their sadness into action, determined to make Kedungu Beach a cleaner place, one piece of waste at a time.

The team’s reflection emphasized the urgency of addressing plastic pollution at its root:

“Plastic sandals are strong and durable, but their durability becomes a curse when they end up in our oceans. The solution starts with better education and accessible recycling initiatives.”

Cleaning Kedungu Beach was no easy task:

  • Challenges: Extracting trash lodged deep within driftwood piles, and avoiding injury from nails embedded in the wood.
  • Solutions: Equipped with protective gear and a cautious approach, the team meticulously navigated the hazardous terrain to safely remove the waste.
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The Kedungu Beach cleanup mission in numbers:

  • Total waste collected: 543.85 lbs
  • Types of waste: Plastic bottles, sandals, shoes, bags
  • Unique finds: An alarming number of plastic sandals highlighted the pervasive issue of non-biodegradable waste.
  • Total waste collected: 543.85 lbs
  • Types of waste: Plastic bottles, sandals, shoes, bags
  • Unique finds: An alarming number of plastic sandals highlighted the pervasive issue of non-biodegradable waste.
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