When plastic has nowhere to go, it ends up in the sea.
We work with local communities to change everyday behaviours, to build infrastructure and to create visible, structural impact where it matters most.
By connecting costal households to long-term waste solutions, and handling all types of plastic, we address the problem at its source.
households
1,7k
connected to proper waste management in Batam, Indonesia
material hubs
80
set up across Batam
plastic waste
226 ton
prevented from entering the ocean
THE PROBLEM
The ocean plastic crisis starts on land. Today, 2.7 billion people live without access to proper waste management systems.
THE PROBLEM
In many coastal communities, this means there is simply no responsible way to dispose of plastic. And when plastic has nowhere to go it ends up in our rivers, our beaches, and our oceans.
THE PROBLEM
To truly protect the ocean we must stop plastic waste at the source: households in coastal areas. And we must do it before it reaches the water. This is where we start.
Our way to
free the sea:
We build plastic waste management infrastructure in coastal communities where the systems are not efficient enough. We work hand in hand with local communities to create long-term, practical solutions that prevent plastic leakage every single day. We do this in three steps:
[ 1 ]
PREVENTION AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL
First, we set up systems for collecting plastic. This is done through either:
Household Collection: our trucks pick up plastic waste directly from homes.
Material Hubs: these are locations where local households can drop-off their plastic waste.
[ 2 ]
rewarding each contribution
Every time a household disposes of their plastic responsibly, they earn a financial incentive and get access to social benefits.
We do this because their actions are valuable: they are protecting the ocean.
[ 3 ]
sorting and transformation
The collected plastic is processed at our recycling facility and given a second life.
We recycle and upcycle as much material as possible—and, above all, ensure that none of it ends up in the ocean.
In parallel, we are developing innovative solutions to turn non-recyclable plastics into useful, valuable products.
Our current presence
MATERIAL HUBS
80
Processing facilities
2
Our work is currently focused in Batam, Indonesia — a coastal region where plastic leakage into the ocean is a daily reality.
We have intentionally chosen to concentrate our efforts in one location to create visible, lasting impact. Batam serves as our pilot project, allowing us to fully implement, refine, and prove our approach before expanding to other regions.
By establishing local material hubs where households can bring their plastic waste in exchange for incentives, we transform waste into value and prevent ocean pollution at its source and build a model that works in reality.
material hub volunteers
How it
all began
Our founder tells the story of how Free The Sea was founded, based on an urgent idea.
We want to grow our impact!
In 2026 we want to expand our solution. Our ambition is big, and this is only the beginning. To scale the protection of our oceans, we are looking for allies, partners, and sponsors who want to create real, measurable impact.
As an individual you can also help. While we finalize support options, we’d love to hear if you’re in.
Launching in 2026
THE SMALL WAY TO HELP
FOLLOW & ENGAGE
Follow Free The Sea on LinkedIn and Instagram. Every follow, comment and share helps us reach more people who can support keeping plastic out of the sea.
THE IMPACTFUL WAY TO HELP
Support a household
With a contribution of USD 200, you connect one household in Indonesia to our plastic waste system — covering bins, collection, and incentives to keep plastic out of the ocean for a full year!
What we stand for
We work hand in hand with local communities to create long-term, practical solutions that prevent plastic leakage every single day.
PREVENTING OCEAN PLASTIC
The best thing we can do for the ocean is to prevent plastic from ever reaching it, and that fight starts on land.
COLLECTING ALL PLASTIC
We collect all types of plastic - both the valuable and the non-valuable. Because both are equally harmful to the ocean.
SERVING THE OCEAN
The ocean is our client. We focus on what matters most to protect and restore it, and are happy to partner with others who share our mission.
Want to help
free the sea?
We’re building stronger systems to stop all types of plastic, recyclable or not, before they ever reach the ocean. And the best part — you can be part of it.
