Free The Sea

Free The Sea is an organization working to prevent plastic waste from reaching the ocean by connecting households to practical waste-management systems. Its approach focuses on stopping plastic at its source rather than relying only on beach cleanups or removing waste after it enters the environment. The organization collects plastic directly from homes and through Material Hubs, where community members can drop off waste. Local teams sort and check the material so suitable plastics can be prepared for manufacturers and reused. Revenue from sales to partner manufacturers supports long-term community development, including education and local infrastructure.

Free The Sea also works with businesses as Impact Partners, offering a way to support household waste systems and create traceable environmental impact. Its community program, Plastic Keepers, brings together households, Material Hub participants, and local teams in Indonesia to help protect the sea. The website reports activity in Batam, including 80 Material Hubs, 1,955 participating households, and 226,546 kilograms of plastic kept out of the sea in 2025.