The Coral Triangle is home to the highest marine biodiversity on the planet, but it’s also increasingly under threat from plastic pollution. At Murex Resorts, we’ve always believed that exploring our natural surroundings goes hand-in-hand with protecting them.

 

We are committed to preserving natural treasures for future generations to enjoy. As part of this ongoing commitment, we’ve partnered with the No Trash Triangle Initiative (NTTI); an ambitious, grassroots organization that’s tackling plastic waste at its source.

 

In this article, we reveal how this new initiative works and what it hopes to achieve.

 

A Shared Mission for a Cleaner Ocean

The first step is stopping plastics from entering the ocean in the first place. Together with NTTI, we have installed four river barriers in Manado, which are designed to intercept plastic waste before it reaches the sea.

 

These barriers are part of NTTI’s ‘No-Trash River Project’, which collects more than 250 tons of waste each year. Once collected, the waste is manually sorted and either recycled, upcycled, or processed for co-processing (an energy recovery method that’s far more sustainable than landfilling).

 

Polyethylene terephthalate (or ‘PET’) plastics are sent to trusted recyclers in Java and, starting this year, clear PET has also been supplied to GOT BAG, a German company creating bags from ocean-bound plastic. It’s a practical, circular solution to a growing global problem.

 

Where It All Began

NTTI was founded in 2017 by Anna Clerici, a former resort manager on nearby Bangka Island, alongside marine biologists Miriam Weber and Christian Lott. At the time, resorts across Bangka were struggling with mounting plastic waste, but had no formal waste management systems in place to deal with the problem.

 

What began as a volunteer-driven beach clean-up movement has since evolved into a fully registered local foundation, with support from international partners like GIZ, CleanHub, and PRLS. Today, NTTI operates across Bangka, Gangga, Bunaken, Siladen, and Manado, and is also making plans to expand this work to include Lembeh Island.

Education: The Foundation of Long-Term Change

For NTTI, tackling plastic pollution isn’t just about collecting waste – it’s about changing mindsets. “We believe that knowledge is the first step to create awareness,” explains Anna Clerici, “and protection is simply a natural consequence.”

 

Following this theory of change principle, NTTI have established a ‘School on the Beach’ program which teaches marine biology and environmental conservation to junior high school students in coastal villages.

 

Here, they can learn about coral ecosystems, mangroves, and the dangers of single-use plastics. With support from Aqueis (a German NGO) and implemented by local partners like Murex Resorts, the NTTI program is empowering a new generation to care for their environment and reduce plastic use at the source.

 

A Natural Fit: NTTI x Murex Resorts

The partnership between Murex and NTTI is rooted in shared values, and a personal connection. Anna Clerici first met Murex co-owner Angelique Batuna during their time together on Bangka Island, and both dreamed of installing river barriers as early as 2019. Now, with this shared vision realised, the partnership brings together operational support, community engagement, and guest awareness under one mission.

 

“We hope Murex guests will be inspired to support this work,” says Anna, “whether through donations, spreading awareness, or simply making more mindful choices around plastic.”

 

As the owner of Murex Resorts, Angelique is passionate about this new partnership, and believes it aligns with Murex’s core principles. “From the beginning,” she says, “Murex was founded on the belief that exploring the ocean must go hand-in-hand with protecting it; today, we continue to honour this legacy through tangible action, such as coral restoration, river waste interception, and community education.”

 

From Local Action to Global Impact

NTTI’s long-term vision is an ambitious one: to make the Coral Triangle a zero plastic waste region. Their four-pillar strategy, which covers waste management, education, research, and corporate responsibility, provides a replicable model for other coastal areas wrestling with similar challenges. And the model is gaining momentum.

 

At Murex Resorts, we’re proud to play our part in that journey. From installing physical infrastructure to supporting education and transparency through tools like the CleanHub app, we believe that dive tourism can – and should – play a pivotal role in protecting the reefs we treasure.