From Rivers to the Sea: Vela’s Partnership with Sungai Watch

A Shared Mission to Protect the Ocean

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Vela’s commitment to reducing plastic waste goes beyond packaging. Through the Sea the Difference™ initiative, Vela partners with leading environmental organizations to support real, measurable change. One of our proudest partnerships to date: Sungai Watch.

Both Vela and Sungai Watch are certified members of 1% for the Planet, a global network of businesses and nonprofits that commit at least 1% of annual revenue to environmental and social causes. This collaboration reflects a shared purpose—to protect natural ecosystems through concrete, community-based action.

Why Rivers Matter in the Fight Against Ocean Plastic

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Up to 90% of plastic that ends up in our oceans comes from rivers. That’s why Sungai Watch, an Indonesian nonprofit founded by three siblings in Bali, is focusing efforts upstream—installing floating barriers, cleaning polluted rivers daily, and building local waste management systems. Their innovative approach combines hands-on cleanups with scalable technology and community-driven waste management, creating a model that has already inspired international interest.

Since 2020, they have removed over 2.4 million kg of plastic from rivers and mobilized over 140 full-time river warriors. The organization’s impact began in Bali and East Java, where they developed and refined their “village model”: a localized network of barriers, waste sorting facilities, and community partnerships to intercept and manage river waste at scale.

Vela and Sungai Watch: Sea the Difference in Action

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As part of our Sea the Difference™ initiative, Vela is proud to support this important project. Together, we aim to protect the ocean by addressing plastic waste at its most critical entry point—our rivers. Vela’s sponsorship supports Sungai Watch’s daily collection efforts, barrier maintenance, and post-cleanup brand audits that inform better waste policies and corporate responsibility.

Our partnership is part of a broader commitment as members of 1% for the Planet, allowing us to fund and amplify efforts that align with our mission of conscious packaging and ocean protection. This collaboration is one more step toward Vela’s vision of responsible innovation—and tangible environmental action.

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Join the Mission

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Our packaging is designed to reduce plastic. But change doesn’t stop there. Partnerships like these are how we turn packaging choices into real-world results—showing that even small changes can lead to systemic improvement.

Together, we can clean rivers, protect oceans, and build a better system—one barrier at a time. Join us in driving impact beyond packaging.