Diaper and Plastic Waste Harvest: Tekat Community Urges Residents Not to Dump Waste into Kali Tebu

Picture leaft : Daru Setyorini, Executive Director of ECOTON, is collecting diaper waste from Kali Tebu. The practice of communities disposing of diaper waste into rivers has become a major challenge in controlling plastic waste leakage into the ocean. Approximately 55% of diaper materials are made of plastic.

Surabaya (Wednesday, May 13, 2026) — A diaper excavation activity in Kali Tebu, initiated by the collaboration between ECOTON and the Tretan Kali Tebu Community (Tekat), revealed that the most common type of waste found in the river was disposable diapers. “45% of the 2.4 tons of waste collected from Kali Tebu consisted of disposable diaper waste,” said Daru Setyorini. The coordinator of the Mozaik Program further explained that during the three-day waste excavation effort, from Monday, May 11 to Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the Kali Tebu waste excavation team successfully removed more than 2.4 tons of waste, including 218 pieces of diaper waste.

In addition to waste collection, volunteers from ECOTON and Tekat conducted a brand audit of diaper waste, with the following results:

1. Sweety (PT Softex Indonesia) — 31%
2. MamyPoko (PT Unicharm) — 24%
3. Momo (Momohouse) — 8%
4. Adult diapers — 8%
5. Other brands — 14%
6. Unidentified/Damaged brands — 15%

This diaper excavation activity was conducted following the installation of a trash barrier in Kali Tebu by the Mozaik Program on May 10, 2026. Mozaik is an environmental initiative called Mission for Zero Plastic Leakage, a collaboration between ECOTON and the Surabaya City Government, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, aimed at reducing plastic waste leakage into rivers—particularly Kali Tebu—through the installation of waste barriers. The program focuses on multi-stakeholder collaboration to strengthen waste management efforts.

“Diaper waste has become one of the biggest challenges in managing waste in Kali Tebu. Strong collaboration is needed from the government through monitoring and waste management at temporary disposal sites (TPS), as well as from the public to stop throwing plastic waste into Kali Tebu. Industry is also expected to implement EPR,” said Daru Setyorini.

Daru further explained that EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) is an environmental policy requiring producers to take responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products, particularly post-consumer waste management. Producers are expected to collect, recycle, or process waste generated from their products and packaging, with the goal of reducing waste sent to landfills and supporting a circular economy.

“Diaper waste found in rivers is also the responsibility of producers,” Daru emphasized.

Waste Control at the Source

Picture Left : The Tekat Community poses for a photo after conducting a diaper waste excavation in Kali Tebu on Wednesday afternoon (May 13, 2026).

Kali Tebu is one of the sources of plastic waste flowing into the Madura Strait, making effective waste control essential to prevent plastic pollution from entering marine waters. Kali Tebu serves as a drainage channel for six urban villages: Kapas Madya, Simokerto, Tanah Kali Kedinding, Sidotopo Wetan, Bulak Banteng, and Tambak Wedi.

The installation of the Barakuda Trash Barrier in Kali Tebu is permanent and will be accompanied by regular waste removal every two days.

“After the waste removal process, we will conduct a brand audit to identify the sources of plastic waste. The brand audit takes place at TPS3R Kedung Cowek, Bulak,” said Heri Purnomo.

The Chairperson of Tekat Community also invited residents to become part of Tretan Kali Tebu.

“Together, let us restore the sustainability of Kali Tebu. Please do not throw waste into Kali Tebu,” Heri concluded.