Global Plastics Treaty: how two Water Warriors are fighting plastics pollution in Indonesia and Malawi

As nations gather in Paris to debate a global plastics treaty, find out how two Water Warriors are taking on plastic pollution in their communities in Malawi and Indonesia.

In 2022, Ecoton (Ecological Observation and Wetland Conservation) in East Java, Indonesia, and the Mudi River Clean Up group in Blantyre, Malawi were named winners of the Water Witness Water Warriors prize. 

In Malawi, only 67% of households have access to basic drinking water services. The Mudi river, which runs through Blantyre, is a domestic water source yet untreated wastewater from industry, broken sewage pipes and dumping of solid waste means the water is severely polluted- threatening the lives of thousands of people who depend on its water.  The waste in the river also exacerbates urban flooding – which in 2022 swept several people to their deaths in Blantyre. Founded by Manota Mphande of NGO Art Malawi, the Mudi River Clean Up group (MRCU) is dedicated to cleaning up this lifeline of the city.  

Water Witness Deputy Director, Dorcas Pratt, said:  

“In February 2022, while looking into water pollution in Blantyre, Malawi, we came across Emily Chabuka and her team knee deep in the filthy water of the Mudi River. MRCU take the garbage out and sort it on the bank. They recycle what they can, making mats and bags, but the amount of garbage in the river is overwhelming and some is hard to recycle. In nearby Nasolo river, they even found coffins from carpenters’ workshops in the river after a flood. 

“Raising awareness through theatre, music and local radio, they have had the help of local politicians and celebrities.  But there is an urgent need to do more- and this needs intervention from government and private sector.”

In Indonesia, a nation with a population of 280million people, a staggering 18million people lack access to safe water. Established in 2000 by Prigi Arisandi and Daru Rini, Ecoton aims to preserve clean water, develop natural flood infrastructure and protect the health and livelihoods of communities dependent on wetlands.  

Ecoton founder, Prigi Arisandi, said:  

“The plastic waste that we throw into the river will return to our dinner table in the form of microplastics in the fish we eat.  

“Saving rivers from plastic waste is a global problem and must be stopped immediately. The Water Warriors award is amplifying our voice, expanding our global network, and supporting our actions in saving rivers from plastic waste pollution.  

“Daru and I are very happy and touched by this award which is a tribute to our collective work to protect the rivers in Indonesia.”

Water Witness Director, Nick Hepworth, said:  

“I had the honour of spending time with Ecoton to undertake a pollution survey of Jakarta’s Ciliwung River, one of Indonesia’s most polluted rivers.  I was blown away by the dedication and ingenuity of Ecoton in their work to address such horrific levels of pollution.   

“Ecoton are on the front-line supporting communities and campaigning for change. They make sure that the government and businesses behind the pollution cannot run and hide, and they take legal cases on behalf of communities.  They exemplify the Water Warriors the world needs right now to beat the water and climate crises.”