News dated
On October 16, Indonesia’s government and UNDP launched Sungai Lestari in Bali, a programme to tackle plastic pollution in rivers, backed by Clean Rivers. It includes waste prevention, separation, collection and recycling. A cleanup in a mangrove area accompanied the launch. [1]
Bali’s pilot sites are the Tukad Badung in Denpasar and the Tukad Mati in Badung Regency. The programme also covers Bekasi, Surakarta, Surabaya and Sidoarjo. The news is the start of organised work: the announcement does not yet demonstrate a lasting reduction of plastic in rivers or the sea. [1]
The bright side
Work along the route taken by waste can connect river protection with everyday plastic management. [1]
One idea, in simple words
A programme called Sungai Lestari has begun in Bali, an island in Indonesia. It aims to reduce plastic entering rivers and potentially reaching the sea. Indonesia’s government and UNDP launched it on October 16. The work includes preventing waste, separating it, collecting it and recycling it. Two Bali waterways, the Tukad Badung and Tukad Mati, are pilot sites: places where activities will begin and be tried out. [1]
As an example, imagine a bottle collected and managed properly before rain carries it into a stream. The problem needs attention before waste reaches the river mouth, where a river meets the sea. A mangrove area was also cleaned during the launch. This does not prove that all the plastic has disappeared: results will need to be checked over time. [1]
A little discovery to keep
What did you discover?
Straight from the source.
- Indonesia and UNDP Launch Sungai Lestari Programme in Bali to Tackle Riverine Plastic Pollution UNDP Indonesia · 16 Oct 2026
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