By: Anika Isnawati (Marine Buddies Surabaya Community)

Hi Buddies, this time the Marine Buddies Surabaya Community will share exciting and interesting experiences while participating in activities organized by the Surabaya Seasoldier Community. The beach cleanup and Suroboyo Park in Kenjeran Fisherman Village - Surabaya took place on Sunday, April 15th. We did a series of interesting activities with a fun day, such as talk shows, fun education, community performance, donation of trash bins and cleaning up trash on Kenjeran beach and Taman Suroboyo Kampung Nelayan Kenjeran. In addition to general participants, there were also participants from abroad with various professions, and also other environmentalist communities that made this activity even more colorful.

We were directly involved in the cleanup activities which were divided into 2 teams, namely the beach team and the park team. Unexpectedly, the beach and park cleanup activities carried out for approximately 1 hour by around 70 people can produce an extraordinary amount of waste reaching approximately 30 sacks of flour or weighing 25kg. The dominating waste was plastic waste. We also found cotton-bud, styrofoam, and other trash, but there was something amusing and even shocking, because mattresses were found on the beach. It's unfortunate that with all the garbage bins scattered around, there's still so much trash strewn about.

Plastic waste, especially plastic bags, is the most polluting to the environment, and in the sea it causes the death of many marine organisms. Although there are now several places for waste processing or recycling plastic waste, the use of plastic is still widely found. To be able to reduce plastic waste in our environment, the use of plastic should be minimized. For example, get used to bringing your own tumbler and not using straws, because in addition to being environmentally friendly, it is more hygienic and we can also save more.< br />

This activity is a celebration of Seasoldier's 3rd Anniversary with the theme "Waste is Underestimated". The most awaited event for all of us was the presentation by the founder and co-founder of Seasoldier, Nadine Chandrawinata and Dinni S who came directly from Jakarta. This fun-filled event was followed by a birthday tumpeng cutting, discussion and merchandise sharing.

It is important for us to realize that the use of plastic is very bad for the survival of living things, both on land and in the sea. Therefore Buddies , let's reduce the use of plastic and always keep the environment around us clean! With this activity, it is hoped that it can increase public awareness, especially visitors to beaches and public parks, about the importance of protecting the environment, especially so that plastic waste does not increase. Make the land a livable place, make the ocean a place worth enjoying its beauty today for generations to come... Jalesveva Jaya Mahe...In ocean we live...