Reinier Van Der Lely, Associate Director of Programmes and Impact at Clean Rivers, and Dr. Daru Setyorini, Executive Director of ECOTON, together with representatives from the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs and the Surabaya Environmental Agency (DLH Surabaya), sound the traditional kentongan during the official launch of the Kampung MOZAIK (Mission for Zero Plastic Leakage) Project at Tanah Kali Kedinding, Surabaya, on 3 August 2026. The ceremonial act symbolized a shared commitment among government, communities, and international partners to prevent plastic pollution, strengthen community-based waste management, and protect the Kali Tebu River.
Kampung MOZAIK Officially Launched in Surabaya
Surabaya, 2 August 2026 – Clean rivers are built through collective action—not by a single project, but by communities committed to protecting their environment. Inspired by this belief, the Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation (ECOTON), together with UNDP Indonesia, the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, the Surabaya City Government, the Surabaya Environmental Agency, the National Coordination Team for Marine Debris Management (TKN PSL), the Ministry of Environment, Clean Rivers, and Emirates Foundation, officially launched MOZAIK Village (Mission for Zero Plastic Leakage) through the Partnership for Preventing Riverine Plastic Pollution in Kali Tebu Surabaya under the theme “Dare to Prevent Pollution, Realize Sustainable Rivers” at the Tanah Kali Kedinding Community Hall, Surabaya.
The event brought together around 200 participants. They represented national and local governments, international organizations, universities, schools, community groups, environmental volunteers, and the private sector. Together, they strengthened collective action to prevent plastic waste from entering rivers and eventually reaching the ocean.
The MOZAIK Program promotes community-led waste management in the Kali Tebu watershed, demonstrating that preventing plastic pollution requires collaboration among governments, local communities, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners.
Before the main ceremony, participants visited an exhibition highlighting the MOZAIK Program. The exhibition featured the Microplastic Journey Mobile Laboratory, the REFILIN refill service, a microplastic art installation, documentary photography, and environmental artwork created by students.
Reviving Local Wisdom to Protect Rivers
Dr. Daru Setyorini, Executive Director of ECOTON, emphasized that protecting rivers is not merely about building infrastructure but also about reviving environmentally friendly practices that have long existed within Indonesian communities.
“Kali Tebu was once a clean river. We have many local traditions that are inherently environmentally friendly. One example is that mothers used to train their children to use the toilet from an early age, reducing the need for disposable diapers. These local wisdoms deserve to be revived as part of our efforts to reduce plastic waste,” she said.
According to Dr. Daru, lasting environmental change begins with simple daily habits practiced consistently at home and within the community.
Strengthening Collaboration for Cleaner Rivers
Echoing this message, Rofi Alhanif, Assistant Deputy for Circular Economy and Environmental Impact at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, appreciated Surabaya’s progress in promoting household waste segregation.
“Surabaya has made encouraging progress in promoting waste segregation at the household level. ECOTON helps all of us better understand the importance of keeping our rivers clean. When our rivers are clean, it reflects that our behavior in managing waste is moving in the right direction,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hassan Ali Abdulla, Project Lead of Emirates Foundation, expressed his appreciation for the educational approach adopted through the MOZAIK Program, particularly the opportunity for communities to observe microplastics firsthand.
“I had never realized that microplastics could even be found on our hands. This shows that plastic pollution is a threat to every community. We must continue raising awareness and encourage people to reduce plastic use while keeping our environment clean,” he said.
Launching Community-Led Environmental Initiatives
A key highlight of the event was the signing of the Kampung MOZAIK Declaration by district heads (Camat) and village heads (Lurah) from the program areas, demonstrating their shared commitment to strengthening community-based waste management and preventing plastic leakage into the Kali Tebu River.
Following the declaration, participants sounded a traditional kentongan (wooden slit drum), symbolizing the start of a collective movement to protect the Kali Tebu River. The ceremony continued with the inauguration of the Kali Tebu Sustainable River Task Force, which will lead environmental education, community engagement, and river conservation initiatives across the community.
The event also marked the launch of the Microplastic Journey Mobile Laboratory, ECOTON’s mobile environmental education platform that brings microplastic research closer to communities. Through interactive demonstrations, visitors can observe microplastics firsthand, understand how plastic pollution affects rivers and human health, and explore practical solutions to reduce plastic waste. The program also expanded the REFILIN refill initiative, encouraging communities to reduce single-use plastic packaging by choosing refill and reuse systems.
For ECOTON, protecting rivers does not end with a ceremonial launch. Clean rivers are built through everyday actions—sorting waste at home, reducing single-use plastics, keeping waste out of rivers, and encouraging one another to care for the environment. Through the MOZAIK Program, Kali Tebu is expected to become a model demonstrating that when communities work together, rivers can once again become healthy, vibrant, and sustainable spaces for present and future generations.
Ecoton (Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation) is a foundation focused on the conservation of river ecosystems and wetlands in Indonesia. We conduct scientific research, environmental education, and awareness campaigns to improve water quality and protect biodiversity.
