By: Dian O. Savitri (Marine Buddies Surabaya Community)

Did you know, buddies, that Indonesia has the distinction of being the second largest waste producer in the world after China? The volume of waste that continues to increase rapidly makes the waters in Indonesia polluted. Not only does it pollute our waters, buddies, but it can also endanger the living things in it.

Welcoming the National Waste Awareness Day Celebration which falls every February 21, the Marine Buddies Surabaya Community held a Beach Clean Up at Kenjeran Beach Surabaya on February 18 yesterday after participating in Car Free Day at Bungkul Park Surabaya. It was a very hot day, buddies, but that didn't dampen our spirits for the beach cleanup. When we arrived at Kenjeran Beach in Surabaya, it turned out that the atmosphere was filled with local tourists who were enjoying the weekend with their families. The joyful sound of Suroboyo Park not far from the location seemed to encourage us to carry out actions for the earth. We also met fishermen who provided boat ride services to cross to the Sand island in the middle of Kenjeran Beach.

Buddies, we actually felt sad when we arrived at Kenjeran Beach because there was a lot of trash spread there. Trash was found at every point we explored. The trash found also varies, buddies, there is plastic waste for coffee wrappers, drink bottles, instant noodles, shampoo sachets, food packaging boxes, to used clothes that are either intentionally left by visitors or carried by the waves in the sea. Without thinking for long, 9 volunteers of Marine Buddies Surabaya Community immediately collected the garbage. The Marine Buddies Volunteers swiftly worked together to collect the garbage on the Kenjeran Beach coast and dispose of it in the nearest landfill.

Buddies, we actually don't have to wait for the National Waste Awareness Day then we move to hold a beach cleanup action like that. Whenever it's time yok we start from ourselves to be more responsible for the waste we produce and not litter. For example, if we buy gasoline or ice, don't forget to throw the trash in the right place. Also yok rek keep the only beach in Surabaya from littering. Doesn't it feel good to enjoy the beach without trash? Besides being pleasing to the eye, we can also roll around in the sand. Oh yes, we can also clean up the garbage in the sea as much as possible, buddies, so that we can enjoy the thrill of swimming with fish instead of with floating plastic waste. Another eco-friendly action that you can do is to bring your own tumbler or drink container and tepak or food container when traveling so that you don't create new plastic waste. Let's be #MarineParkFriends by making sure our beaches are always clean, buddies!