PATTIRO (Center for Regional Information and Studies) organized a Marine Cleanup Movement at Pantai Pasir Putih Florida Indah, Anyer, Banten (2/06/2026). The activity was held in commemoration of World Environment Day, observed on 5 June 2026.

This marine cleanup action forms part of PATTIRO’s commitment to promoting public awareness of environmental issues — particularly the problem of coastal and marine waste, which remains a serious challenge in environmental governance. Through this activity, PATTIRO seeks to reinforce the message that environmental protection requires not only sound policies, but also the active participation of communities, civil society organizations, and diverse local actors.

The event was carried out in collaboration with PATTIRO Banten, the 2026 Banten Healthy Settlement Ambassador (Duta Permukiman Sehat Banten 2026), the 2025 PRIMA Ambassador (Duta PRIMA 2025), and the 2025 Banten Women’s Climate Ambassador (Duta Perempuan Iklim Banten 2025). This collaboration underscores that environmental issues are cross-sectoral in nature, closely intertwined with climate change, settlement health, community quality of life, and the sustainability of coastal areas.

During the activity, participants conducted a cleanup of waste around the coastal area of Pantai Pasir Putih Florida Indah. Waste collected from the beach was gathered as part of an educational effort on the importance of more responsible waste management. The action also served as a reminder that the problem of waste cannot be resolved through cleanup activities alone — it must be followed by behavioral change, waste reduction at source, waste sorting, and sustainable management systems.

For PATTIRO, the Marine Cleanup Movement is not merely a ceremonial activity to mark World Environment Day. More than that, it serves as a space for education, reflection, and collective action to cultivate the awareness that environmental issues must be addressed collectively. Marine waste does not only detract from the aesthetic appeal of tourist areas — it also impacts coastal ecosystems, environmental health, community economic activities, and the livelihoods of communities that depend on marine resources.

The beach, as both a living space and an economic space for communities, holds vital functions. On one hand, coastal areas serve as sources of livelihood for local communities, tourism operators, fishermen, traders, and surrounding communities. On the other hand, coastal areas are also vulnerable to pollution, particularly from plastic waste, domestic waste, and low levels of environmental awareness among visitors.

Through this activity, PATTIRO invites the public to recognize that protecting the environment can begin with simple actions — such as not littering, reducing single-use plastic, sorting waste, and actively participating in collective movements to preserve coastal areas. These simple steps can have a significant impact if carried out consistently and become shared habits.

The participation of the 2026 Banten Healthy Settlement Ambassador further affirmed the connection between a clean environment and the quality of healthy settlements. A well-maintained coastal environment is not only important for protecting marine ecosystems, but also has implications for public health, the comfort of public spaces, and the quality of life of residents and those who work in the surrounding area.

On the occasion, Raka Ramadhani, as the 2025 Banten Healthy Settlement Ambassador, called on the public to take greater responsibility in maintaining environmental cleanliness, particularly in tourist areas. In his view, building the awareness not to leave waste behind is a simple step that needs to be cultivated collectively.

“One message for the local community, wherever you may be: never leave your waste behind, never let your waste pile up, and never dirty tourist destinations,” said Raka Ramadhani.

In the same vein, Okta, as the 2026 Banten Healthy Settlement Ambassador, emphasized that a clean environment is closely linked to community quality of life. In her view, taking care of one’s health cannot be separated from efforts to maintain the living environment.

“Let us take care of ourselves, let us take care of our environment, because a healthy life comes from a healthy environment. Let us not allow waste to poison the earth we inhabit,” said Okta.

The presence of the 2025 PRIMA Ambassador further reinforced the message that environmental issues are interconnected with a broader range of social concerns. This marine cleanup activity was not only an action to keep the beach clean, but also a space for building collective awareness about the importance of protecting the earth, strengthening social solidarity, and encouraging the active role of the younger generation in creating a safer and more sustainable environment.

On the occasion, Neng Vivi, as the 2025 PRIMA Ambassador, conveyed that the problem of waste must not be viewed as a minor issue. In her view, waste also contributes to environmental damage and climate change. For this reason, the public — particularly the younger generation — needs to engage in concrete actions to protect the environment while strengthening awareness of social issues.

“Waste is one of the causes of climate change. Let us protect the earth and stand against gender-based violence,” said Neng Vivi.

The involvement of the 2026 Banten Women’s Climate Ambassador also reinforced the message that environmental and climate issues need to be approached more inclusively. In the activity, the marine cleanup movement served as a reminder that climate issues cannot be separated from community habits in managing waste, both in households and in public spaces.

Representatives of the 2026 Banten Women’s Climate Ambassador, Karina and Nana, conveyed that waste management must become a shared responsibility. According to them, women have long been at the forefront of domestic affairs, including in dealing with household waste generated from daily activities such as cooking, washing, and managing family needs.

“Most household waste is often associated with domestic activities largely carried out by women. Women, as the frontline of household management, frequently come into direct contact with waste — from cooking residue and washing to waste generated by other family members. Yet the task of managing and sorting waste is still often placed disproportionately on women,” said Karina.

Karina further noted that this burden can impede the optimal functioning of waste sorting at the household level. As a result, various types of waste — including plastics, used diapers, cardboard, and electronic waste — can become mixed together and end up at final disposal sites without adequate management.

“For this reason, we invite all members of society — particularly women and the younger generation — to play an active role in managing and sorting waste starting from the smallest environment: the home. Environmental awareness must be built through simple actions carried out consistently,” said Karina and Nana.

Both also emphasized that women and young people hold a strategic role in driving behavioral change in society. Women, particularly within the family and community sphere, can serve as catalysts for environmental education through the reduction of single-use plastics, household waste sorting, and clean and healthy living campaigns. Meanwhile, young people can amplify the environmental message through creativity, community movements, and digital campaigns that resonate more broadly with the public.

The various perspectives shared during the event reinforced the message that the Marine Cleanup Movement is not oriented solely toward cleanup action, but also toward shifting the public’s perspective on waste and the environment. The waste found along the coast illustrates that environmental challenges require collective awareness — from individual behavior and household habits to environmental governance at the community level.

PATTIRO views the problem of marine waste as concerning not only cleanliness, but also environmental governance that requires multi-stakeholder collaboration. Waste management must involve communities, local groups, the tourism sector, government, and civil society organizations to ensure that coastal conservation efforts can be sustained over the long term.
World Environment Day serves as a momentum to strengthen the collective awareness that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility. With the spirit of gotong royong (mutual cooperation), PATTIRO together with PATTIRO Banten, the 2026 Banten Healthy Settlement Ambassador, the 2025 PRIMA Ambassador, and the 2026 Banten Women’s Climate Ambassador hope that similar movements will continue to expand as part of the ongoing effort to preserve coastal environments.