5 MIN READ
05-27-2025
Tidal Flood and Trash Crisis: 4ocean’s Mission to Respond Along Indonesia’s Coast
Dika, 4ocean Jembrana Content Correspondent
On a recent morning, the River and Riverboom teams of 4ocean Indonesia joined forces for a large-scale cleanup effort along a coastal harbor in Indonesia. The operation, led by 4ocean Indonesia Manager Yohan Efendi, came in response to a tidal flood combined with strong easterly winds—an environmental one-two punch that pushed marine debris westward and triggered a major waste buildup along the shoreline and pier.
To tackle the situation, the team came prepared. Canoes and paddles allowed access to floating debris offshore, while metal rakes were used to sift through plastic and organic matter tangled along the water’s edge. As sacks filled with collected waste, the team transported everything back to base using the 4ocean truck, ensuring that each item would be properly sorted and processed.
What the team encountered was overwhelming. 49 sacks of waste—totaling 2,285.8 lbs.—were collected from the harbor.
Among the debris were food wrappers, fishing lines, broken household plastics, and flood-carried organics tangled with synthetic materials. The impact of the cleanup was immediately visible: previously clogged shoreline and pier areas were cleared, making it safer and more functional for the community.
“What’s happening here is highly unusual,” said Mr. Efendi. “A large amount of floating debris has filled the coastline and dock area. This poses a serious threat to the local economy and disrupts daily life for coastal residents. Our mission at 4ocean remains the same: to eliminate ocean plastic and protect our shared environment.”
But the work didn’t come easy. Out on the water, the team had to push their canoes through thick debris using long bamboo poles when paddling proved ineffective. On land, the rocky and unstable ground made transporting heavy sacks more hazardous. Still, the crew remained focused and worked in sync—driven by a shared sense of purpose.
This cleanup highlights the growing pressure tidal floods are placing on Indonesia’s most vulnerable coastal zones. Plastic waste that drifts in from rivers and the open sea doesn’t just endanger marine life—it affects livelihoods, health, and the safety of entire communities.
The 4ocean Indonesia team continues to face these challenges head-on. Whether responding to sudden surges in waste or conducting routine cleanups, they remain committed to protecting our oceans—one shoreline at a time.
