Sorting in the City

Stopping ocean plastic pollution never goes out of style. We’ve expanded our operation once again - this time with a shiny new sorting station right in the heart of Manado. We’re calling it our Ocean Plastic Sorting Station (or OPSS) and are super excited about how much more plastic we can now sort directly. Plastic from Siladen, Gangga and Bunaken is being transported to the station each week. We no longer have to rely on sorting resource from our logistics partner Daur Sinar Gemilang (DSG), making it easier for us to quickly sort and track the waste our resort partners are sending our way.

We’ve set up our sorting station next to Megamas mall in a space kindly provided by our board chair, Amelia Tungka. It’s right next door to DSG’s main sorting station, it’s central location easily accessible by the trucks that collect the trash from our network of regional boats. We were able to kit the place out thanks to a generous donation from Kawasan Megamas and Perwosi Sulut's SHINE BRIGHT 5km and 10km fun run earlier this year. It’s fantastic to receive this support from our local community. We will still work with DSG to bale the sorted plastic and send it onwards for further recycling and processing. Being right next door to them means this process can be seamless and super efficient, with both teams working hand in hand with one another.

Of course no sorting station would be complete without a dream team of plastic sorting superstars - we’ve created two new full time jobs to look after the stream of plastic waste coming through the OPSS. Providing employment opportunities to local people is a fundamental part of the circular economic model we’re building.

A big thank you as always to our resort partners. Their donations make this expansion possible whilst also improving our offering to them. It really is a win, win scenario.

Meet the team:

Zerah, 28

Zerah started working for us a month ago and has been a fantastic addition to the team. Originally from Tahuna, she has a Masters degree in Management which she’s been putting to good use, making sure our sorting station is running smoothly. Passionate about the environment and keeping the ocean clean, Zerah has a real drive to contribute to our mission.

“I want to make a direct contribution to efforts to reduce pollution of plastic waste in the oceans and in the surrounding environment.”

Cipto, 33

Preventing plastic pollution is in Cipto’s blood - his mum was involved in setting up the waste management programme, Bank Sampah, inspiring Cipto to take action himself. Having spent time in Sorong as a child, he’s seen and appreciated the beautiful ocean environment from a young age. With a degree in education and music and photography skills, we can’t wait to see how we can work with Cipto to continue to expand our programme across Manado and beyond.

“I knew that I should join the (NTTI) team to learn and experience more and contribute to a better environment.”