From riverbank to the sea: An initial assessment of plastic pollution along the Ciliwung River, Indonesia

Rivers are the hidden highways of plastic pollution. This study traces plastic waste along the Ciliwung River — from its forested headwaters through dense urban settlements to the sea — revealing how everyday single-use items accumulate on riverbanks and feed marine pollution. By combining field surveys, polymer analysis and spatial mapping, it shows that plastic leakage is closely tied to waste collection coverage and local governance. The findings highlight riverbanks as critical intervention points for preventing plastics from reaching the ocean.