To commemorate Earth Day on April 27, 2024, FST Enviro Care was held as part of the Environmental Division’s program under the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) Universitas Airlangga. This environmental volunteer activity took place in the Wonorejo Mangrove Ecotourism Area in collaboration with No Waste Surabaya and was attended by students from Universitas Airlangga.
The activities included cleaning up trash trapped in the coastal tree roots and planting mangrove seedlings.
The beach cleanup and mangrove planting took place from 8 AM to 11 AM. To reach the designated site, participants had to take a boat ride from the dock, which took approximately 15 minutes.
Various types of waste were found during the cleanup, including plastic waste, styrofoam, cans, and even discarded items like helmets and suitcases. The team managed to collect several large sacks filled with trash, estimated to contain around 1,000 pieces of plastic waste.
After gathering the waste, the team sorted and recorded the collected items to identify which types of waste were most commonly used by the community and which companies produced them. The findings will later be used to submit recommendations urging companies to take responsibility for the waste they produce.
This cleanup initiative not only helped maintain the cleanliness and beauty of the mangrove environment but also enhanced the ecotourism appeal and local economic potential. Additionally, it reduced environmental pollution risks and improved the health conditions of nearby communities.
The next activity was planting 50 mangrove seedlings, which play a crucial role in maintaining coastal ecosystem balance. Mangrove trees can absorb more carbon dioxide than inland forests, contributing to efforts in reducing global warming. By planting these seedlings, the team also helped prevent coastal erosion, as mangrove roots are strong enough to stabilize the soil in Surabaya’s coastal waters. Moreover, mangrove forests serve as habitats for various wildlife species.
“Yesterday, this area was just cleaned, and now it’s filled with trash again—it’s an endless cycle, becoming what we call ‘eternal waste.’ Many mangrove plants are dying due to water shortages, and 2023 was recorded as the hottest year in Indonesia,” said one of the Wonorejo Mangrove Ecotourism managers.
The event was lively and successful thanks to the strong collaboration among participants. Moving forward, it is hoped that this initiative can be expanded to a larger scale, involving more students and members of the general public to further amplify the environmental impact.
