Indonesia-The Ocean Cleanup Partner to Expand River Interceptor Program

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dutch non-profit The Ocean Cleanup to expand river-cleaning initiatives using interceptor vessel technology.

Deputy for Food Accessibility and Security Nani Hendiarti explained that the agreement builds on a previous MoU signed in 2019 with the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment.

“The purpose of this MoU is to collect, process, and recycle plastic waste so it can become part of a circular economy,” Nani said during the signing ceremony in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

She emphasized the vital role of clean rivers in supporting food security, noting that water quality directly impacts agricultural productivity.

The Ocean Cleanup currently operates two interceptor facilities in Indonesia, at Cengkareng Drain in Jakarta and the Cisadane River in Tangerang, Banten. Plans are underway to expand to around 10 additional rivers, with candidate sites in Java, Bali, and Manado.

Nani added that the initiative also supports tourism by improving river environments in key destinations. The government aims to have all new facilities operational by 2029, with coordination across ministries and local administrations.

The Ocean Cleanup’s founder and CEO, Boyan Slat, highlighted the effectiveness of the interceptor technology, which captures plastic waste before it reaches the ocean.

“In the coming years, we will install interceptors in several rivers together. The goal is to keep beaches clean during the rainy season and prevent waste from flowing into the sea,” Slat said.

He noted that plastic collected in Indonesia over recent years is equivalent in weight to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, with expectations that the figure will grow significantly in the future. ***