Have you ever thought, wow, there is a lot of trash on this beach, in this river, or in this park? Most of us don’t ever have the time to do much more than pick up a little thing here and there along the way, but Sungai Watch went all in. They saw the issue of the garbage in the Indonesian rivers and literally jumped into action, by jumping into the rivers! This is not a job for the faint of heart; so, I really tip my hat off to the amazing Sungai Watch team. After collecting the trash they realized that they were stuck with a lot of garbage. So, naturally they turned it into high end luxury chairs to help fund their efforts! Ergo, Sungai Design was born! Read on to learn more about these amazing people and their beautiful chairs.

Where are you based?
We’re based in Bali, Indonesia.

Sungai Design upcycled plastic by pulling it out of the Indonesian rivers and turning it into fashionable chairs. Tell us, where did this idea come from? How did everything start?
Sungai Design originated from our nearly four-year experience managing Sungai Watch, our nonprofit dedicated to cleaning Indonesian rivers. As the waste collected at our sorting stations continued to accumulate, we were compelled to innovate. We needed a creative solution to manage the unrecyclable plastic waste that was both sustainable and economically viable. This led to the idea of transforming these plastics into furniture, not only to fund our cleanup operations but also to establish a circular economy model.

There is pollution all over our planet, why did you decide to focus on Indonesia?
We were fortunate to grow up in Indonesia, so it was natural for us to start here. Indonesia is also the second largest polluter to the ocean, so we have a lot of work ahead of us to not only clean all the rivers but also recycle the waste that is currently not recycled in the country. To give you some context, about 40% of Indonesia's 142 million urban residents still lack access to basic waste collection services. This deficit leads to significant amounts of waste being improperly disposed of and, often, ending up in our rivers and oceans.

Why focus on rivers instead of the ocean?
Rivers are the primary conduits for 80 to 90% of the plastics that end up in the ocean, making them critical points for intercepting pollution before it reaches the sea. By installing barriers in these rivers, not only can we stop plastic waste more effectively, but these barriers also act as powerful tools for raising community awareness. They encourage local residents to reduce plastic use and dispose of waste responsibly.

Why chairs? What inspired the design?
We aimed to create a product that would use a substantial amount of recycled plastic, ensuring durability and longevity. Chairs fit this requirement perfectly and also stand as statement pieces in any setting. The choice of parametric design, introduced by designer Michael Russek, addresses the challenges of working with rigid materials by incorporating curvature and comfort into the final product.

Pulling this plastic out of the rivers is not a pleasant looking task. How do you stay inspired to do it?
Although extracting plastic from rivers is a demanding and time-consuming task, our motivation is fueled by the tangible impact we see daily across the 200 rivers we clean. While it takes time, witnessing rivers 'graduate' from our cleanup program—no longer needing barriers because they are free of plastics—provides a profound sense of achievement. This success allows us to redirect our efforts to other rivers in need, continuously expanding our positive impact.

There is a lot of waste in the rivers, do you know how much you pull out each year?
Since we started our work at the end of 2020, we have pulled out 2,300,000 kg of plastics from rivers.

You only use plastic bags for your chairs. What comes of the rest of the trash?
Plastic bags are the most common item we retrieve from rivers, yet they hold little economic value in Indonesia's recycling market. That's why we chose to focus on giving them a new life through our chair designs. For other materials like PET and HDPE, we partner with industrial recyclers who can process them appropriately. We're also continually seeking innovative ways to repurpose the remaining materials. For example, our collaboration with Indosole involves turning discarded flip flops found in rivers into fashionable new sandals. Each pair is carefully crafted, combining Sungai Watch's mission with Indosole's design expertise. We’re eager to keep exploring creative solutions for all the materials we collect.

How many plastic bags does it take to make a chair?
Every chair is made from 2,000 plastic bags.

Obviously these bags are pretty dirty coming out of the river, what is the cleaning process like?
The cleaning process for the plastic bags we recover is quite comprehensive to ensure they are thoroughly sanitized before they're repurposed. Initially, the bags undergo several stages of washing, which involve a variety of cleansing baths. We use specific soaps and adjust water temperatures to effectively remove dirt, contaminants, and any residues from their time in the river. This meticulous cleaning is crucial not only for the quality of our final products but also for maintaining environmental safety standards. While the process is rigorous, it's designed to be as efficient and sustainable as possible, minimizing water and energy use.

Can you tell us a little bit about how the chairs are made?
Once cleaned, the bags are shredded and heat-pressed to form durable, hard sheets. Utilizing CNC technology, these sheets are then precisely carved into panels. Finally, our skilled artisans assemble these panels into our Ombak chairs.

How have the locals responded to your initiative? Are they learning to throw less waste into their rivers?
Our initiative has been met with positive engagement from local communities, which has been crucial to our efforts. Each time we install a barrier, we collaborate closely with local authorities. This partnership not only allows us to introduce our mission but also to work together from day one to reduce plastic pollution. While we're making progress, the reality is that waste collection and management infrastructure still fall short of what is needed. We are actively advocating for and working towards more rapid improvements in these areas to support lasting change.

Have you noticed any difference to the rivers since you have started the clean up?
Absolutely! In several rivers, we’ve observed remarkable improvements. Fish populations are returning, and the water is visibly cleaner. Additionally, the local river communities have embraced a sense of stewardship for these waterways, actively participating in maintaining their cleanliness and health. These positive changes are truly inspiring and motivate us to continue our work.

Any future projections or goals for Sungai Design that you wish to share?
We're excited about the upcoming launch of new products at Sungai Design. Stay tuned for these fresh, innovative additions that will continue our commitment to sustainable design.

It has been a crazy past few years, how do you stay positive?
Despite the challenges of the past few years, our motivation stems from a deep commitment to combating plastic pollution. Every day, we are actively engaging in the fight—whether it’s through raising awareness, cleaning up pollution from our rivers, or sparking conversations about sustainability with our innovative designs. Knowing that each action contributes to a larger impact keeps us energized and hopeful.

What is your motto in life?
No idea is crazy enough to change the world!