The CBL River in Bekasi, Indonesia, is one of many waterways in Southeast Asia struggling with severe plastic pollution. To help break this chain at its source, we launched a coordinated river cleanup initiative together with One Earth – One Ocean (OEOO) and Waste4Change (W4C).
To better understand how this initiative works on the ground, we spoke with Sari Safianti, deugro’s Country Manager in Jakarta.
This initiative is all about protecting communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on healthy waterways. Indonesia’s rivers are vital ecosystems, yet many face increasing pressure from unmanaged plastic waste and strained local waste‑management systems.
“deugro is committed to supporting the local communities in which we operate. As part of this commitment, we are sponsoring this long-term river clean-up initiative in Jakarta, aligned with our core values of accountability, integrity, and care” Sari said.
The project focuses on a defined section of the CBL River, where floating barriers, pontoons, and the Sea Hamster 2.0 vessel work together to capture and collect waste before it reaches the ocean.
Our immediate goals are clear and hands‑on:
- Clean the water flow and riverbank
- Collect and recycle waste to stop it from entering the ocean
- Support local authorities and communities in managing waste
- Build a model for long‑term, measurable improvement
This practical focus ensures that the initiative delivers visible results while laying the foundation for ongoing environmental recovery.
While the technology and logistics play a significant role, Sari emphasizes that the initiative’s strength comes from close collaboration with organizations already deeply embedded in the community.
“Both organizations bring extensive local expertise and strong community relationships in Bekasi. By combining their on-the-ground insight with deugro’s global experience, we are able to jointly drive initiatives that strengthen community wellbeing in a practical and impactful way.”
The project has been actively developed over two years and that deugro has played several roles to ensure effective implementation:
“Throughout two years of planning, we have consistently supported our partners financially, through coordination and local support. Our deugro Jakarta office supports the project locally. The team facilitates communication, supports practical arrangements, and ensures smooth local execution.”
Although the cleanup delivers immediate impact, Sari views it as the start of something much bigger.
When asked what she hopes this initiative will achieve, Sari outlines a clear vision:
“In the short term, this initiative aims to remove waste from local waterways and improve the living conditions of communities in Bekasi and the surrounding areas. Over the long term, we hope the project will serve as a model for similar community-driven initiatives across Indonesia.”
With more than 17,500 islands, Indonesia’s environmental challenges span vast and diverse regions. The aim is to refine a model here in Bekasi that can be replicated across other waterways and communities throughout the country.
By combining practical efforts today with a long-term strategy and strong community collaboration, the Bekasi cleanup initiative aims to build a cleaner environment, empower local groups, and inspire future generations across Indonesia.
Sari summarizes deugro’s ongoing commitment:
“By helping local groups build capacity, enhance their living environment, and create job opportunities, we aim to contribute to long-term, sustainable improvements and empower communities throughout the country.”
This project is one of many ways deugro continues to support community-centered initiatives around the world. From providing global emergency relief to supporting local programs, deugro consistently makes meaningful contributions that drive positive change worldwide.
