Prevented Ocean Plastic work around the world to clean, build and recycle. This hard work doesn’t happen without a dedicated, passionate team of people on the ground, from London to Bali and beyond.
For the first in a new series focusing on some of these key individuals, we took the opportunity to talk to Indah Rosita Dewi, head of sustainability at Prevented Ocean Plastic™ Southeast Asia to find out more about their life, work, and the causes close to their heart.
- Hi Indah! Please introduce yourself and talk about the steps that led you to joining Prevented Ocean Plastic™?
“Hello! I graduated with a degree in Environmental Science around a year and a half ago. During my time at university, I gravitated toward waste management. It became a recurring theme in almost every assignment I worked on, from short essays to research papers. That interest soon evolved into something deeper, leading me to join various environmental organizations, take on internships, and ultimately write my thesis on waste management.
One of the most meaningful experiences I had during my final year was being selected as an awardee for a Youth Climate Action Camp hosted by an environmental community in Indonesia. We spent four days and three nights on an island, living right next to the ocean. It was there that I truly began to connect the dots between waste management and ocean protection. Our group project focused on those exact issues, and it left a lasting impression on me.
Just a month after completing my studies, I applied to Prevented Ocean Plastic Southeast Asia (POPSEA).”
- Talk us through your journey with the company since then?
“My journey with Prevented Ocean Plastic Southeast Asia began as a Site Manager at the Jambi Collection Center, where I spent four months working with every part of the supply chain, from waste collectors to local government partners. The role gave me a front row seat to operations on the ground and helped me build a deeper understanding of the real-world challenges and human stories inside the waste ecosystem. It was a very hands-on experience and truly anchored me in the purpose and values of this field.
Later on, I was fortunate to transition to POPSEA’s head office as a Sustainability Professional, a role I’ve continued to grow in ever since. In this position, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to broader sustainability initiatives, collaborate with a wider network of partners, and support impactful programs that align with our mission, not only in Jambi but across multiple regions.”
- What does a typical day at the office look like for you?
“On a typical day I am not in the office! It usually means spending more than half of my time working closely with external partners outside of POPSEA. During the four weeks of May, for example, I was only in Jakarta for about one week, and even then, several days were dedicated to field visits to various locations. When I am at the office, my days are typically filled with conducting analyses, preparing reports, and attending meetings.
I truly enjoy meeting and interacting with many people, so I deeply appreciate and am grateful for this blend of office work and field activities.”
Being part of this journey fills me with pride, gratitude, and a deep sense of purpose
- Can you talk a little bit about POPSEA’s perspective on the global plastic problem?
“We view the global plastic problem as a systemic issue that requires integrated, long term solutions. The plastic crisis is not just an environmental threat, it is also deeply linked to social and economic challenges, especially in regions where waste management infrastructure is limited.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Indonesia is the second largest contributor of ocean plastic waste in the world. With more than 80,000 kilometers of coastline and over 17,000 islands, Indonesia’s coastal regions are highly vulnerable to plastic leakage, particularly in areas where communities lack access to proper waste collection and recycling systems.
This is where Prevented Ocean Plastic and POPSEA are uniquely positioned to contribute. We focus on preventing plastic waste from entering the ocean by strengthening local collection networks and ensuring that recovered plastics are reintegrated into the supply chain. Our approach is built on the belief that truly sustainable solutions must address all three pillars of sustainability:
- Environmental: By preventing ocean plastic and promoting responsible recycling practices.
- Social: By empowering waste collectors, improving livelihoods, and creating safer, more dignified working environments.
- Economic: By building viable, long-term supply chains that create value from recycled plastic and ensure financial sustainability for all stakeholders involved.
Prevented Ocean Plastic doesn’t just offer short term fixes, we invest in systems that create lasting impact. By working alongside communities, local governments, and international partners, we aim to build a circular economy that protects both people and the planet.“
- Which POP project you’ve worked on so far has been the most fun or the most rewarding?
“It’s difficult to choose just one, but one of the most rewarding moments in my journey was the opportunity to speak in front of over 1,000 women workers at Bantargebang, the largest landfill in Southeast Asia. Being able to introduce Prevented Ocean Plastic’s mission and show our support to that many people at once was incredibly humbling.”
- Where is your favourite place that you’ve travelled?
“Padang (Sumatera) has truly become one of the most special places I’ve visited. I traveled there as part of the Live and Livelihoods research project, where we visited three islands- Java, Sulawesi, and Sumatera- to connect with over 100 community waste collectors. Each place was meaningful, but Padang was particularly close to my heart.
While there, I met the son of one of the collectors. With quiet strength, he shared how he helps his father deliver plastic and supports his mother in selling local snacks, all while holding onto his first year education journey in university. His spirit, his kindness, and his determination deeply moved me. I still carry that encounter with me, and I sincerely hope that life brings him every opportunity to grow, succeed, and uplift his family. Stories like his are gentle but powerful reminders of why we do the work we do.”
- What does the future hold for you and for POPSEA?
“As I look ahead, my personal hope is to keep learning and growing through my journey with POPSEA. Every project, every conversation, and every challenge has shaped me in ways I never imagined, and I know there’s still so much more to discover. I truly, deeply admire and love the genuine efforts POPSEA puts into its work. It’s rare to find a work place so rooted in purpose, and I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of it.
I hope POPSEA continues to expand its impact, reaching more supply chain actors and communities, not only across Indonesia but throughout Southeast Asia. I also hope POPSEA, with all of its sincerity and heart, becomes more widely recognized by all parties, so its mission can grow even stronger and touch even more lives. Being part of this journey fills me with pride, gratitude, and a deep sense of purpose.”
- Thank you Indah!
Prevented Ocean Plastic™ is high quality, compliant recycled plastic that has been collected from coastal communities at risk of ocean plastic pollution. Used by supermarkets and brands around the world, it meets regulatory health and safety standards, is traceable back to source and can be identified on-pack through its distinctive triangular logo. Prevented Ocean Plastic™ supply major manufacturing partners such as Groupe Guillin, Spectra Packaging, and Berry Global for offerings across multiple product categories, including food and drink, personal care, pet products and home cleaning. Prevented Ocean Plastic™ is an award-winning, three-time Earthshot Prize nominee, and has collected over 2.5 billion plastic bottles from where they don’t belong since 2020.
