The SeaCleaners and APSI join forces against plastic pollution in the Bali region

Towards the development of an effective waste management sector in Indonesia.

APSI (Asosiasi Pengusaha Sampah Indonesia) is one of the leading waste recycling trade associations in Indonesia. It currently has 268 member companies, the majority of which are small and medium-sized enterprises engaged in waste management and recycling in major cities and provinces of Indonesia.

APSI is a very dynamic organization that aims to accelerate the massive development of the waste management sector in Indonesia, with a focus on SMEs and independent entrepreneurs. It will represent 2000 members in 2024. The association is thus establishing itself as one of the key players in the transition to a green, virtuous and circular economy in Indonesia, a country that is one of the five most affected by the ravages of plastic pollution and where there are still many open and uncontrolled waste dumps.

For The SeaCleaners, the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with APSI marks a major step forward in consolidating the implementation of its operations in Indonesia, under the leadership of its operational division headed by Eric le Plomb and its representative in Indonesia, Priska Widyastuti.

At the heart of the project: the action of the Mobula 8, our multipurpose de-polluting boat.

The collaborative project led by APSI and The SeaCleaners concerns the collection and management of floating solid waste in the region of Bali, particularly in its eastern part, which is very concerned by this scourge due to the presence of numerous rivers carrying large quantities of garbage, including the Waduk Tukad Badung, located near a mangrove conservation area, the Sungai Tukad Badung, the Abang or the Karangasem Regency.

From the first quarter of 2022, the Mobula 8, operated by The SeaCleaners, will collect floating waste in the identified rivers as well as in the coastal area. The waste will be landed at several points in Bali and managed by local companies and associations members of APSI as well as by local authorities.

In addition to this collection and clean-up action, The SeaCleaners and APSI will collaborate in the management of waste on land, by setting up sorting, recycling and treatment activities.

At the same time, in keeping with its scientific mission, The SeaCleaners will provide APSI with data on the characterization of waste and the location of areas where pollution slicks accumulate.

Another important aspect of the partnership is that APSI will help The SeaCleaners to establish contacts with local actors, associations or institutions, and local authorities likely to help implement appropriate solutions to combat pollution by solid waste on land or at sea. Networking is essential to operate effectively in this transcontinental country, the world’s largest archipelago.

At the signature of the agreement, Yvan Bourgnon, President and Founder of The SeaCleaners explained: “This partnership with a leading association such as APSI represents a leap forward for our operations in Indonesia. We cannot conceive of intervening without being surrounded by actors on the ground who count and who know precisely where the needs are, where the challenges are, and where the difficulties are. It is through this exchange that we can be truly effective and have a beneficial, visible and measurable impact. We have different and complementary expertise: let’s create the synergies between us that will allow us to have the best possible action.”

Putu Ivan Yunatana, chairman of APSI Bali Nusra, adds : “Ocean waste has become everyone’s responsibility especially for Balinese people, who belief in the purity of the ocean. That’s why we are welcoming this cooperation as our members are very much ready to support this project. This is an opportunity to put into perspective about APSI contribution for the ocean waste as I believe this project will become the first role model for managing ocean waste in Bali which will be supported by local’s government and the people. I hope this project is just the start of our long-term cooperation as this moment would be the beginning of others upcoming project in the future between The Sea Cleaners and APSI at the bigger scope.”