Garbage Collection Ships In The Sea Of Bali Help Preserve Environment And Support Sustainable Life

Bali (Pexels/East Kozmenko)

JAKARTA - Bali is one of the islands in Indonesia that is visited by many tourists because of the extraordinary natural beauty of the sea. Therefore, the marine environment in Bali must be closely maintained, especially from waste waste so that it remains sustainable for future generations.

To preserve the sea in Bali, the Sahabat Multi Bintang Foundation (YSMB) collaborated with Seven Clean Seas (SCS), officially launching Offshore & Tidal Trash Elimination Rig (OTTER), a marine spring-gathering vessel that is useful for traversing marine debris and is attributing to a sustainable life.

The ship actively cleans up trash from the waters and prevents it from reaching the coast and lait habitat. The ship operates in the Sanur-Serangan-Benoa corridor, for 11 months and is divided into two phases.

"This Multi Bintang Friends initiative not only protects marine ecosystems, but also empowers local communities through various environmental and social programs," said Chairperson of the Multi Bintang Friends Foundation, Deny Giovanni, in an official statement, Sunday, September 14, 2025.

The first phase, which was carried out from August 11 to September 2 which served as a trial, has collected 23 kilograms of plastic waste, with the majority coming from daily waste such as sachets and food wrappers, foams and styrofoam, as well as plastic bottles of drinks.

The waste that has been collected will be sorted at the Panca Lestari waste processing site (TPS3R) in Tanjung Benoa. Recycled waste such as plastic bottles, cans, and plastic containers will be channeled to aggregators or recycled actors who are certified in Bali's circular economy.

Organic waste is processed into compost, and non-cyclic waste is disposed of responsibly at the regional TPA (End Disposal Site). This is to reduce environmental leakage, and support Indonesia's national waste management strategy.

The OTTER ship will operate throughout the year and will adjust its routes according to seasonal water flow shifts and garbage buildup patterns. In addition to cleaning operations, the ship also acts as a catalyst for long-term benefits for the community. Together with Sekaa Teruna Teruni (STT).

This program is equipped with beach cleaning events and educational activities for youth who provide practical training to the local community in sustainable waste management. This encourages wider public knowledge related to sustainable life and promotes responsible tourism.

"This effort reflects our long-term mission to ensure that the local community is not only the benefit party, but also the main driver of sustainability," concluded Deny Giovanni.