Indonesia’s coasts host a rich variety of ecosystems, from mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs that sustain marine life, protect shorelines, and attract visitors from around the world. Yet beneath this natural wealth lies a serious problem that often receives less public attention than storms and floods. Marine debris, particularly plastic waste, has become one of the most urgent environmental issue and is directly influencing the future of coastal ecosystems and communities.

Research by Jambeck et al. (2015) was among the first to provide a global estimate of how much plastic waste generated on land ends up in the ocean. By combining data on waste production, population density, and economic conditions across 192 coastal countries, the study found that in 2010 around 275 million metric tons of plastic waste were produced, with an estimated 4.8 to 12.7 million metric tons entering the sea. The findings showed that countries with large populations and inadequate waste management systems are the main contributors to plastic leakage into the ocean, and warned that without significant improvements in waste infrastructure, the volume of plastic reaching the sea could rise dramatically by 2025.

National Commitments and Global Support

Since the problem became widely recognized, Indonesia has taken significant steps to respond. Through Presidential Regulation No. 83 of 2018, the government committed to reducing marine debris by seventy percent by the year 2025. This ambitious target has drawn international attention and support. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 500 million US dollars loan to strengthen Indonesia’s program to reduce plastic marine debris and its seventy percent reduction target (ADB, 2024). While negotiations for a global plastic treaty are still underway, this program positions Indonesia at the forefront of action, aligning national commitments with global efforts. In 2024, additional support also came from the French Development Agency through a 200 million euro loan (AFD, 2024). Together, these initiatives highlight that Indonesia’s response is not only a domestic priority but also part of a broader international agenda to tackle marine plastic pollution.

How Debris Travels from Land to Sea

Most marine litter does not begin its journey at sea. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, about eighty percent of debris originates on land. In Indonesia, rivers act as the main highways for trash, carrying bottles, bags, and packaging from urban centers downstream to estuaries and coasts. Once in the water, ocean currents and tides distribute the waste widely, before waves and storm surges push it back onto beaches or trap it in mangrove roots.

In March 2024, the fishing village of Teluk in Banten made international headlines when heavy rains and tides swept in massive amounts of rubbish, blanketing the coast in plastic waste (The Guardian, 2024). Only a year later, the Anambas Islands reported similar conditions, with floating debris threatening tourism and undermining local fisheries (Antara News, 2025). These episodes illustrate that marine debris is not simply a long-term issue but can also trigger sudden disasters.

Ecological Consequences ad Socio-Economic Impacts

The consequences for ecosystems are profound. Mangroves, long celebrated as natural coastal defenses, now act as traps for floating debris. A study in Jakarta Bay found that more than half of the mangrove stands were contaminated with macro-plastics (Cordova et al., 2019). Instead of serving as nurseries for fish and storing carbon, these forests are being suffocated by plastic. Coral reefs and seagrass meadows, already under stress from warming seas, face additional pressure as waste covers their surfaces, blocks light, and reduces oxygen. On a smaller scale, microplastics are entering food webs, raising concerns about seafood safety and human health.

The consequences extend beyond the environment. For Indonesia’s coastal societies, marine debris undermines livelihoods and resilience. Fishers encounter damaged nets from discarded fishing gear and declining catches as ecosystems degrade. Communities reliant on tourism face losses when beaches are polluted, discouraging visitors. According to UNEP (2020), marine debris costs the global economy an estimated six billion US dollars annually through its impacts on fisheries, tourism, and shipping. In Indonesia, where the sea is central to cultural identity and food security, these costs are magnified, threatening both economic stability and traditional ways of life.

Government Action and Local Innovation

Recognizing the urgency, the Indonesian government has combined local innovation with national policy. Trash barriers are being installed in key rivers such as Badung and Mati to intercept plastics before they reach the sea (Antara News, 2025). New technologies are also being deployed. The World Bank’s Indonesia Sustainable Oceans Program has supported the use of artificial intelligence and drones to monitor the flow of debris in river mouths across Java and Bali (World Bank, 2025).

Meanwhile, community initiatives continue to expand. In Bali, fishers are encouraged to collect a bag of waste each time they return from the sea, turning what was once pollution into part of their routine. In coastal villages, waste banks now allow residents to exchange collected plastics for cash or household goods, making cleanup efforts part of everyday life.

Signs of progress are emerging. Between 2018 and 2022, Indonesia reduced plastic leakage into the ocean by more than thirty-six percent, thanks to a combination of government policies, civil society efforts, and international support (UNDP, 2023). These achievements suggest that substantial change is possible. However, the 70 percent reduction target by 2025 remains highly ambitious. Meeting it will require sustained investment, improvements in waste management infrastructure, and stronger alignment with international frameworks such as the forthcoming Global Plastic Treaty.

Conclusion

Marine debris is often described as a hidden threat because it accumulates quietly, but its impacts on ecosystems, livelihoods, and economies are increasingly visible. Indonesia’s experience shows that this challenge is no longer invisible. It has become a central agenda item in national policy, regional cooperation, and global sustainability goals. Addressing it requires systemic change, from waste production and management to community engagement and international collaboration.

For Indonesia, success will mean cleaner rivers, healthier mangroves, safer seafood, and stronger coastal resilience. More than reaching international targets, it will represent a promise of security, dignity, and sustainability for the millions of people whose lives are intertwined with the sea.

-Rika Novida

References

Jambeck, J.R. et al. (2015). Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347(6223).

Cordova, M.R. et al. (2019). Occurrence and abundance of microplastics in coral reef sediment: A case study in Jakarta Bay, Indonesia.

UNEP (2020, 2021). Marine litter and plastic pollution reports.

Presidential Regulation No. 83/2018. Rencana Aksi Nasional Penanganan Sampah Laut.

The Guardian (2024). Indonesia fishing village flooded with tide of rubbish after heavy rains.

Antara News (2025). Indonesia boosts collaboration to tackle marine waste in Anambas; Indonesia targets river pollution to combat marine debris.