No-Trash Triangle Initiative was founded to protect the Coral Triangle from plastic pollution

The Coral Triangle in South-East Asia is our most biodiverse marine environment but it is under severe threat

There is no other place is quite like The Coral Triangle It is home to nearly 80% of all coral species and over one third of the world’s reef fish species making it the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on the planet.

Unfortunately this region is under threat from plastic pollution, with the amount of plastic litter in the sea and washing up on beaches increasing dramatically year on year. The government may be making commitments to clean up the water systems on paper but in practice, tons of waste are still entering and contaminating the ocean waters.  A recent report estimates that 25 percent of Indonesian fish caught are contaminated with plastic in their gut and flesh. Urgent intervention is required to protect this region, its wildlife and people’s livelihoods.

Our Impact

We’re based on Bangka, a small island right in the heart of the Coral Triangle. We work tirelessly to keep the island’s beaches clean. Teaming up with locals, both young and old, tourists, students and volunteers, we carry out regular beach clean ups.

Any trash that we collect is sorted and whatever can be recycled is separated and sent off to a recycling centre in Surabaya. All remaining trash is sent to a properly managed dump on the Sulawesi mainland.

As an initiative that has science at it’s core, we believe that education is fundamental when it comes to ensuring the future of our oceans. Working with the local junior high school on Bangka, we designed an innovative environmental education program to encourage a new generation of Ocean Ambassadors.

We support education and research at all levels and since our foundation, we have supported ten students from all over the world with research scholarships.

31.2+

Tonnes of waste removed

Collected from the shores and mangroves and properly disposed of.

21.5+

Tonnes of waste recycled

Including plastic, glass and metal.

1,120

Teaching hours

As part of our environmental education program in the local school.