Surabaya becomes first city in plastic-waste-to-sea prevention program
New trash booms on Kali Tebu and Kali Mrutu are reported to block about 1 ton of plastic waste a day.
Surabaya is the first location for the Partnership for Preventing Riverine Plastic Pollution program in Indonesia, a collaboration among the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, the United Arab Emirates government, and UNDP Indonesia to reduce plastic waste in rivers before it reaches the sea. The program was introduced at a soft launch on 5 June 2026, coinciding with World Environment Day. The initial rollout is underway on Kali Tebu and Kali Mrutu through the installation of trash booms to catch waste carried by the current. Acting head of Surabaya's Environment Agency M. Fikser said about 1 ton of plastic waste is removed each day from the two sites together with Ecoton and Lohjinawi. The Surabaya city government is also preparing facility support and public education, while encouraging waste sorting and reuse through a circular economy approach.