(HIMA IE NEWS) Saturday, June 8, 2025, the Beach Clean Up Series 3 activity was held by the Marine Buddies Surabaya Community in collaboration with the Economics Student Association (HIMA IE) Universitas Airlangga. This activity was carried out in commemoration of World Oceans Day 2025 and received support from the Surabaya City Environmental Service. The activity took place at Kenjeran Beach, Surabaya, with the theme "Sustaining What Sustains Us" as a form of concern for the sustainability of Indonesia's marine ecosystem.
This activity was attended by more than 80 participants, young people aged 15 to 25 from various educational backgrounds and communities. They came with a shared passion: to love and protect the marine environment from the threat of pollution, particularly plastic waste, which poses a real threat to Indonesia's aquatic ecosystems.
The series of activities began at 6:00 a.m. WIB with an opening and remarks from representatives of Marine Buddies Surabaya and HIMA IE Universitas Airlangga. The event continued with an educational session on the negative impacts of plastic waste on the marine environment and the dangers of microplastics to human health and ecosystem sustainability. After the educational session, participants were divided into several small groups to carry out a comprehensive beach cleanup.
During this activity, participants successfully collected and sorted approximately 580 kilograms of waste. The types of waste found were quite diverse, including plastic and household waste, wood, vehicle tires, and even used fishing nets. The sorting process was carried out on-site and tailored to the waste type to support a sustainable waste management system.
In addition to the core beach cleanup activity, the event also included various interactive games and light-hearted discussions aimed at strengthening relationships among participants and fostering a spirit of collaboration across organizations. A sense of camaraderie and cooperation was palpable throughout, making the event not only educational but also enriching for the participants' social experiences.
According to Jonatan Aditia Sihombing, Field Coordinator I, this activity is not just a beach cleanup, but also an effort to raise collective awareness of the importance of sustainable environmental protection. Imelda Rismawati, Field Coordinator II, echoed this sentiment, stating that education is a crucial first step in shaping the public's mindset to be more concerned and responsible for their environment.
Muhammad Gumilang Yusamsi, Field Coordinator III and representative of HIMA IE UNAIR, added that this activity represents a concrete contribution from students to environmental issues. Besides providing new insights, it also hones collaboration skills, expands interdisciplinary networks, and opens up opportunities for direct involvement in environmental conservation movements.
The impact of this activity can be felt both immediately and long-term. Environmentally, this action contributes to reducing waste in the Kenjeran coastal area. Socially and educationally, this activity fosters awareness and collective responsibility among the younger generation. In terms of personal development, participants also gain valuable experience in organizing and making a real contribution to social issues. As a token of appreciation, participants receive e-certificates, snacks, and meaningful mementos from their direct involvement in environmental action.
The event concluded with a joint documentation session and expressed the hope from all committee members and participants that similar events could continue to be held regularly and involve more community members. In the spirit of "Sustaining What Sustains Us," the Beach Clean Up Series 3 initiative is expected to be a small but impactful step in preserving the ocean, which in turn preserves life itself.