Colorful Recycled Boats Steal the Show at Sunter Lake Festival
Reported by Budhi Firmansyah Surapati | Translated by Maria Inggita
Forty-three colorful boats crafted from recycled materials took part in the 2026 Cinta Lingkungan (CiLung) Boat Festival at Sunter Lake in Sunter Jaya, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Sunday (10/18).
This shows that used items and waste can still be used for positive purposes
Jakarta Regional Secretary Uus Kuswanto said the 43 boats, representing 42 sub-districts, were part of efforts to educate and encourage the public to care for the environment.
CiLung Festival Lets Visitors Ride Boats Made from Recycled Plastic Bottles"This shows that used items and waste can still be used for positive purposes," he noted.
Uus added that Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung had issued Gubernatorial Instruction (Ingub) No. 5/2026, which calls for waste sorting and processing at the source.
The instruction has been in effect since August 1 and has been widely publicized. Its goal is to ensure that only residual waste reaches final disposal sites.
Uus highlighted that waste reduction at the source would remain a priority while Jakarta prepares to launch its waste-to-energy (PSEL) program. Preparations for the program are still underway and expected to be completed soon so that Jakarta can have a modern waste management system.
"This festival is one way to continue encouraging, informing, and educating people in Jakarta to care for and protect the environment," he stressed.
Jakarta Environment Agency Head Dudi Gurdesi explained that the 43 boats in the festival were made using recycled materials, including 47,000 plastic bottles and around 8,000 water gallon jugs.
Besides showcasing boats made from used materials, the festival also featured the release of fish fry and the pouring of eco-enzymes into Sunter Lake. Dudi said these activities were now part of an annual tradition.
According to him, the festival drew a bigger crowd and was more lively than in previous years.
"After the competition, we will give residents the opportunity to ride the boats and enjoy a trip around Sunter Lake," he added.
