Citarum River: A Plastic Pollution Crisis

The Citarum River in Indonesia has been described as the most polluted river in the world. The river, which is 300 kilometres long, is an essential water source for 25 million people. However, it is also lined with 1,900 industrial facilities, which dump 280 tonnes of toxins in the river every day. In addition, the river is clogged with plastic waste, with plastic accounting for 74% and 87% of the total human-generated waste found in five rivers and three holding facilities in Jakarta between December 2019 and January 2020. Efforts to clean up the river have been ongoing since 2021, with the Citarum Repair program aiming to solve the problem of waste pollution through waste management education and campaigns.

The Citarum River is the most polluted river in the world

The Citarum River, located in West Java, Indonesia, is considered the world's most polluted river. Stretching for 297 to 300 kilometres, it provides a crucial water supply for the 25 million people living within its basin. However, the river is heavily contaminated with industrial and household waste, as well as toxic pollutants.

The Citarum River has a long history, supporting civilisations along its banks since ancient times. It is an essential lifeline for the people of West Java, providing water for irrigation, drinking, and other daily needs. However, the river has also faced significant challenges due to poor waste management and pollution.

One of the main sources of pollution in the Citarum River is the approximately 1,900 to 2,000 industrial facilities located along its banks, many of which belong to the textile industry. These factories dump an estimated 280 to 34,000 tonnes of toxins, including heavy metals and toxic chemicals, into the river daily. The water is then used to irrigate thousands of hectares of paddy fields, leading to rice crops being grown in polluted water and laced with chemicals.

In addition to industrial waste, household waste is also a significant contributor to the pollution in the Citarum River. Due to poverty and a lack of proper sewage and waste treatment systems, residents along the river often dump their household waste, including sewage, plastics, and other rubbish, directly into the river or store it along the banks, leading to spillover. This has resulted in blockages and deaths in the river ecosystem and further impacted the already limited water supply.

The Indonesian government has recognised the severity of the situation and has implemented various initiatives to address the pollution in the Citarum River. One such initiative is Operation Citarum Harum, led by the Indonesian military, which aims to revitalise the river and make its water safe for drinking by 2025. Additionally, organisations like the Greeneration Foundation and the Clean Currents Coalition have launched programmes focused on waste management education, community engagement, and the implementation of waste collection technologies. These efforts have shown promising results, with reports of decreasing pollution levels in the Citarum River in recent years.

The river is located in West Java, Indonesia, and is 300km long

The Citarum River in West Java, Indonesia, is 300 kilometres long and is considered the world's most polluted river. It is the largest river in the West Java region, flowing from Bandung Regency to Karawang Regency and providing a crucial water supply for local livelihoods. The river's journey passes through ancient civilisations, supporting life for the West Java people, but it also faces many challenges, including the threat of waste pollution.

The Citarum River is located in a densely populated area, with 25 million people living within its basin. It is used as a natural sewage system, with an estimated 35.5 tonnes of human waste and 65 tonnes of livestock waste dumped into the river each day. The river is also a site for household waste disposal, with piles of rubbish stored along its banks. These trash piles often grow too large and spill into the river, further polluting the water. The poorest individuals along the Citarum scavenge for plastics, selling recyclable bottles and packaging to earn a living.

The river is also heavily polluted by industrial waste, with 1,900 industries located along its banks. The textile industry is a significant contributor, with factories specialising in dying textiles, often for Western companies. It is estimated that 90% of these industries lack adequate waste treatment facilities, resulting in 34,000 tonnes of untreated textile runoff being disposed of into the river annually. This runoff contains high concentrations of toxic heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, iron, and cadmium, which pose serious health risks to the communities relying on the river for their water supply.

The Citarum has been facing pollution issues since 1810, and the problem has only worsened over time. In recent years, various initiatives have been undertaken to address the pollution, including the Citarum Repair Program, which focuses on waste management education and campaigns, and operation Citarum Harum, led by the Indonesian military, which aims to make the river's water safe for drinking by 2025. Despite these efforts, the river remains heavily polluted, and it will take a concerted and sustained effort to restore it to its former pristine state.

It is estimated that 280 tonnes of toxins are dumped in the river daily

The Citarum River in West Java, Indonesia, is considered the world's most polluted river. Stretching for 297 to 300 kilometres, it is a crucial source of water for local livelihoods, supporting around 25 million people within its basin. However, the river is plagued by a multitude of pollutants, including an estimated 280 tonnes of toxins dumped into it daily.

The primary source of pollution in the Citarum River is the approximately 1,900 to 2,000 industrial facilities located along its banks. The textile industry dominates these factories, and it is estimated that 90% of them lack adequate waste treatment infrastructure. As a result, large volumes of untreated textile runoff, containing toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, iron, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, and manganese, are released into the river annually. The lead levels in the river have been reported to be 1,000 times higher than the US Environmental Protection Agency's standard for drinking water, posing significant health risks to the communities relying on the river.

In addition to industrial waste, household waste is another significant contributor to the Citarum River's pollution. Residents along the river basins often lack the financial means to install proper sewage systems or water treatment facilities, leading to sewage waste, plastics, and other household rubbish being dumped directly into the river or piled up along its banks. The government's lack of recycling facilities further exacerbates the issue, as garbage ends up in the river due to improper waste management. The river is also used for natural sewage, with an estimated 35.5 tonnes of human waste and 65 tonnes of livestock waste discharged into it daily.

Agricultural practices also play a role in the river's pollution. Some farmers apply excessive amounts of pesticides, disregarding safety regulations, which then leech into the river. Additionally, the water downstream, already polluted with toxins, is used to irrigate thousands of hectares of paddy fields, resulting in rice grown in contaminated water. The pollution has led to reduced rice yields and adverse health effects among locals, including skin problems and increased cases of tuberculosis and bronchitis.

Efforts to address the Citarum River's pollution have been made, such as the Citarum Repair program, which focuses on waste management education and campaigns, and operation Citarum Harum, led by the Indonesian military with the goal of making the river's water safe for drinking by 2025. However, the river remains critically polluted, and the impact of plastic waste on the environment and human lives is significant, with people even making a living by collecting waste.

The Clean Currents Coalition is a network of problem-solvers aiming to combat plastic waste in the river

The Clean Currents Coalition is a collaborative network of passionate problem-solvers aiming to combat plastic waste in the river and, in turn, the ocean. The coalition focuses on piloting plastic capture technologies in highly-polluted rivers and catalysing upstream changes in public policy, behaviour, and waste management. The Citarum River in Indonesia is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, and the Clean Currents Coalition has been working to reduce plastic waste in this river since 2021.

The Citarum River is 297 kilometres long, stretching from Mount Wayang to the Java Sea in West Java. The river has been essential to the people of West Java since ancient times, but it faces many challenges, including the threat of waste pollution. The river is concealed by an unimaginable amount of trash and waste, including plastic waste such as straws, plastic bags, and plastic bottles. The stench of the river is overwhelming, and the mercury contamination level has been above normal.

In December 2021, the Clean Currents Coalition began a river waste-collecting operation in the Citarum River. The operation involved a semi-automatic mechanical waste capture system consisting of a pontoon-mounted waste collector, a trash boom set, and a waste transportation system. The coalition explored the possibility of developing a plastic credit model to fund their operations long-term. This plastic credit program has allowed the coalition to expand its operations and develop the "River Scavengers Engagement Program" and the "Community Engagement Program." Through collaboration with around 15 scavenger households, the coalition has collected 24,235 kg of high-value plastic and 251,812 kg of low-value plastic from the Citarum River.

The Clean Currents Coalition's work in the Citarum River is a great example of how targeted, high-impact, and cost-effective intervention strategies can be implemented to prevent plastic from reaching the ocean. By collecting data on the quantities and types of river plastic, the coalition is advancing scientific understanding and driving upstream change. The coalition is also improving infrastructure and access to services and innovating creative new solutions to recycle and repurpose plastic waste.

The Citarum Repair Program is another initiative to solve the problem of waste pollution in the river

The Citarum River, the biggest river in West Java, has been facing the issue of waste pollution since 1810. The river, which is 297 kilometres long, provides ecosystem services like a water source, flood protection, and a habitat for local communities and biodiversity. However, the frequent mismanagement of waste near the river has led to flooding, water contamination, and waste accumulation in the ocean.

The Citarum Repair Program is a collaborative initiative led by the Greeneration Foundation, which aims to solve the problem of waste pollution in the Citarum River. The program focuses on waste management education and campaigns, with the support of River Recycle, Waste4Change, and the Bening Saguling Foundation. River Recycle, an expert in trash boom technology from Finland, provides trash booms and conveyors as waste collection technology. The Bening Saguling Foundation collects the river waste, and Waste4Change recycles the waste into valuable goods. This collaboration has successfully managed 325 tons of waste over three years, with the involvement of 5,500 local residents.

The Clean Currents Coalition, a network of dedicated problem-solvers, also plays a role in the Citarum Repair Program. They began their river waste-collecting operation in the Citarum in December 2021, using a semi-automatic mechanical waste capture system. To address the challenge of varying volumes of waste, RiverRecycle explored the idea of a plastic credit model for long-term funding. The plastic credit program has enabled them to expand their operations, including the River Scavengers Engagement Program and the Community Engagement Program. Through these programs, they have collected 24,235 kg of high-value plastic and 251,812 kg of low-value plastic, with the collaboration of around 15 scavenger households.

The Citarum Repair Program also involves technological and educational solutions. This includes installing a physical capture system to remove floating plastic and other waste before it enters the ocean, as well as data collection on the weight and composition of plastic. Additionally, the collected plastic has the potential to be converted into oil through pyrolysis. The program works with local communities to raise awareness and protect rivers from waste through social media campaigns and river clean-up actions.

The Citarum Repair Program is a comprehensive initiative that addresses the issue of waste pollution in the Citarum River through collaboration, technology, education, and community engagement. By involving various stakeholders and utilizing innovative solutions, the program aims to restore the health and ecosystem of the Citarum River.

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