Jogja – Alor Island, NTT — Rajut Nusa continues its mission to merge creativity with sustainability through a meaningful collaboration with Tamang Dugong, a local conservation initiative dedicated to protecting the endangered dugong and its coastal habitat in Alor, East Nusa Tenggara
This collaboration bridges two communities with one shared vision: empowering people and protecting nature. In Yogyakarta, Rajut Nusa works closely with local crafters — including mothers and families with disabilities — to produce unique dugong-shaped keychains made from recycled plastic bags. Each piece tells a story of transformation, turning everyday waste into symbols of marine conservation and environmental awareness
Responding to the Waste Emergency
Indonesia is currently facing a waste emergency. Landfills are overflowing, and only 7% of plastic waste is recycled, with 75% of that coming from PET bottles. The majority of residual plastics remain unrecycled, contributing to pollution both on land and in the ocean. The use of plastic bags in Indonesia reaches 1,401 tons per day, and much of it ends up in the sea
At the same time, job opportunities are still limited for people without formal skills or those living with disabilities. Rajut Nusa believes that creativity and collaboration can turn these environmental and social challenges into new opportunities — empowering communities while protecting the planet
Protecting Dugongs, Protecting the Sea
The dugong population in Indonesia is estimated at around 1,000 individuals, and their numbers continue to decline — placing them in the category of protected species. Through this initiative, Rajut Nusa supports Tamang Dugong’s conservation efforts in Alor to raise awareness about this gentle sea mammal and the seagrass ecosystems it depends on
By transforming discarded plastic into dugong-shaped keychains, Rajut Nusa hopes to remind the public that every small act of sustainability can make a real difference — for the ocean, for the community, and for the generations to come.
“Every stitch represents care — for our planet, for the sea, and for each other,” shares the Rajut Nusa team. “We believe that creativity has the power to connect communities and inspire real change.”
Through this collaboration, Rajut Nusa reaffirms its commitment to environmental sustainability, inclusive empowerment, and marine conservation — showing that when creativity meets purpose, even plastic waste can become a message of hope