70kg of Rubbish Collected at Oceans 5 Gili Air's Weekly Beach Cleanup

In a world where environmental awareness is more critical than ever, it's the small, consistent efforts that make the biggest difference. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, conservation isn't just a buzzword—it’s a deeply rooted philosophy that extends beyond the boundaries of the dive center. And every Friday at 17:00, this philosophy takes tangible form when volunteers, staff, and divemaster candidates gather to clean the beaches in the harbor of Gili Air.
On a recent Friday, the cleanup yielded a staggering 70 kilograms of rubbish—a record for the past few months. This isn’t just about trash; it’s about community, responsibility, and action.

A Weekly Tradition That Started in 2010

Oceans 5 Gili Air has been organizing weekly beach cleanups since its founding in 2010. As a PADI Career Development Centre, Oceans 5 has always embraced the PADI Pillars of Change—particularly marine conservation and community action. Over the years, the weekly cleanup has become a staple event on the island, drawing not only the dive center’s team but also island locals, tourists, and passionate divers looking to give something back to the place they love.
The initiative started small—just a few staff members picking up plastic along the beach. But with time, the message spread. Today, it's a collaborative event involving people from all walks of life: travelers, dive students, locals, and dive professionals. It’s a reminder that every individual can make a difference.

Friday at 17:00: Gloves On, Bags in Hand, and Community in Action

Each Friday, the dive center starts preparing around 16:30. Gloves, reusable sacks, and collection tools are handed out, and participants are briefed on safety, sorting procedures, and areas to focus on. By 17:00, the group—often numbering 20 to 30 individuals—heads toward the harbor and surrounding beach area.
The harbor is the first line of contact for much of the island’s floating waste, especially during and after the rainy season. With runoff from nearby Lombok and increased boat traffic, the area often accumulates plastic bags, straws, food wrappers, fishing line, and other debris.
Last Friday’s cleanup was especially challenging: the tide had pushed in large amounts of rubbish, and recent storms had stirred up more debris than usual. But the team was undeterred. In just under an hour, 70 kilograms of rubbish were collected—testament to the power of a united community.

Why It Matters: A Marine Park Under Pressure

Gili Air lies within the Gili Matra Marine Recreational Reserve, a protected area that is home to vibrant coral reefs, endangered turtles, and an abundance of marine biodiversity. However, the health of this ecosystem is under constant threat from human activity—both on the islands and from mainland runoff.

Plastic pollution is one of the most significant threats to marine ecosystems worldwide. Plastics don’t degrade easily; they break down into microplastics that are consumed by fish and filter feeders, eventually making their way up the food chain. Entanglement in plastic debris is also a leading cause of injury and death for sea turtles, seabirds, and other marine animals.
Every piece of plastic removed from the beach is a potential hazard removed from the ocean.

Divemaster Candidates: Learning More Than Just Diving

One of the most unique aspects of the Oceans 5 beach cleanups is the involvement of divemaster candidates. Oceans 5 believes that professional dive training should go hand-in-hand with environmental education. That's why the Eco Divemaster Internship includes hands-on conservation efforts, like beach cleanups, coral restoration projects, and conservation workshops.
For many of these candidates, this is their first real exposure to the broader impact of marine pollution. It shapes their perspective and instills a deep sense of responsibility as future dive professionals. They don’t just learn how to guide dives or assist instructors—they learn how to be stewards of the ocean.

One of the divemaster candidates who helped lead the most recent cleanup said, “We see the impact every day on our dives—nets on coral, plastic drifting in the current. But during the beach cleanup, you physically feel the weight of it. It’s emotional. But it's also empowering to know we’re doing something.”

Volunteers and Visitors: Travelers Making a Difference

The weekly cleanup also draws in travelers and short-term visitors who are staying on Gili Air. Some hear about it through social media, others through word-of-mouth or while enrolling in a dive course. It’s a way for them to connect with the island beyond its beauty.
For many, participating in the cleanup is a highlight of their trip. It’s a chance to bond with like-minded individuals, contribute to a worthy cause, and witness the tangible difference they can make in just one hour.
One traveler from the Netherlands said after the cleanup, “I came to Gili Air to relax, but joining the cleanup made me feel connected to the island. I’ll definitely look for similar programs on other islands I visit.”

From Rubbish to Awareness: What Happens After the Cleanup

After each cleanup, the bags are weighed at the dive center, and photos are taken to document the effort. Oceans 5 posts regular updates about the total weight collected and shares the data with conservation partners and local authorities. This documentation helps to build a broader understanding of the sources and frequency of pollution, enabling better conservation strategies over time.
Sometimes the rubbish is sorted to separate recyclables from general waste. In collaboration with local entrepreneurs—such as Rama, who collects plastic bottles and metal cans to send to Lombok for recycling—part of the trash even finds a new purpose. Rama, once a regular cleanup volunteer, now runs his own small recycling business on Gili Air.

An Invitation: Join the Next Beach Cleanup

The work is far from over. As long as trash continues to wash ashore or be left behind, Oceans 5 will be there to clean it up. The dive center is committed to being a conservation leader in the Gili Islands, and it encourages anyone on Gili Air—whether resident or visitor—to join the weekly effort.

No sign-up is necessary. Just show up on Friday at 17:00 at Oceans 5 Gili Air.

All necessary equipment is provided. What you need to bring is your energy, a smile, and maybe a friend or two. And yes, after the cleanup, there’s usually a well-deserved drink and some relaxed conversation back at the dive center—celebrating another week of doing something good for the ocean.

Final Thoughts: Small Acts, Big Impact

The 70 kilograms of rubbish collected last Friday is just one example of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose. It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of global environmental challenges. But Oceans 5 Gili Air proves that small, local efforts can add up to something powerful.

These cleanups are about more than just trash—they’re about education, empowerment, and community. They’re about creating a culture of conservation that extends beyond the dive shop, the beach, and even the island.
As long as there are people who care, and dive centers like Oceans 5 leading by example, there is hope for the oceans.
Want to be part of the change?
🧤 Join the next beach cleanup
📍 Every Friday at 17:00
📍 Oceans 5 Gili Air – in front of the harbor
🌊 Let’s protect what we love—together.