Imagine growing up surrounded by the natural beauty of Bali, only to witness its pristine beaches and vital rivers slowly choking under a relentless tide of plastic. This was the reality for Gary Bencheghib. From a young age, Gary and his siblings, Sam and Kelly, felt an urgent, personal calling to confront this environmental crisis. What started with simple beach cleanups soon evolved into a radical form of environmental activism. Gary’s early efforts weren’t just about picking up trash; they were about creating unignorable spectacles that forced the world to see the severity of the problem. His unwavering commitment would soon spark a movement that would transform not just rivers, but also the very concept of waste itself.
Gary’s “Make a Change World” phase marked a pivotal turning point. He embarked on audacious expeditions, navigating some of the world’s most polluted rivers, like Indonesia’s Citarum – notoriously dubbed “the most polluted river in the world” – in homemade kayaks crafted entirely from recycled plastic bottles. These daring voyages were meticulously documented, transforming shocking footage of plastic-choked waterways into powerful global headlines.
These viral campaigns weren’t just protests; they were catalysts that pressured governments into action and ignited conversations about plastic pollution on an international scale. The profound impact of these visual calls to action laid the groundwork for a more systematic approach to river restoration, leading to the establishment of Sungai Watch in late 2020 by Gary and his siblings. Their mission: to strategically install trash barriers in rivers, proactively preventing plastic from ever reaching the ocean.
Sungai Watch quickly proved its effectiveness. With hundreds of barriers installed across Bali and beyond, the organization began intercepting staggering volumes of plastic waste daily. Yet, this success brought forth a new, critical challenge: what do you do with mountains of collected trash? Simply moving plastic from a river to a landfill is not a sustainable solution; it merely shifts the problem. The sheer scale of the collected waste demanded an innovative, long-term answer, one that could transform a perceived burden into a valuable resource. It became clear that to truly close the loop on plastic pollution, the material itself needed a new purpose, a second life that would fund ongoing cleanup efforts and inspire a new way of thinking about waste.
This pressing need for a sustainable outlet for collected plastic led to the brilliant inception of SUNGAI DESIGN. Emerging as the creative and manufacturing arm of the Bencheghib family’s broader initiative, SUNGAI DESIGN represents the ultimate act of upcycling. The plastic retrieved by Sungai Watch—which might otherwise languish in landfills—is meticulously sorted, cleaned, shredded, and then ingeniously transformed. Through a process of melting and molding, these once-discarded fragments are given new life as durable, striking materials.
Their products, ranging from elegant chairs and tables to bespoke architectural elements, boast a unique aesthetic—a vibrant mosaic of colors that tells the very story of its origin in Bali’s rivers. This innovative approach not only diverts tons of plastic from landfills but also elevates it into functional, beautiful objects that carry a powerful message.
The combined efforts of Gary Bencheghib’s initial activism, the systematic cleanup operations of Sungai Watch, and the ingenious upcycling by SUNGAI DESIGN create a powerful, self-sustaining ecosystem. Every piece of furniture crafted by SUNGAI DESIGN doesn’t just beautify a space; it embodies a rescued fragment of a river and directly contributes to funding future cleanups. This symbiotic relationship exemplifies a true circular economy in action: waste is not an endpoint but a valuable input, driving both environmental restoration and economic innovation. The Bencheghib family’s journey is a beacon of hope, demonstrating that through passion, perseverance, and groundbreaking solutions, we can transform daunting environmental challenges into opportunities for a cleaner, more beautiful, and truly sustainable future for our rivers and our planet.
The integrated model of activism, collection, and upcycling pioneered by Gary Bencheghib and Sungai Design is part of a larger, global movement to heal our waterways. From high-tech innovations to community-led initiatives, projects around the world are proving that there is no single solution to plastic pollution, but a diverse and interconnected web of efforts. These five examples showcase the creativity and dedication of others working toward a cleaner, healthier planet:
The Ocean Cleanup: While focused on the ocean, this non-profit has a major river component. Their “Interceptor” technology is a large, autonomous, solar-powered device that scoops up plastic from rivers, preventing it from ever reaching the sea. They have deployed these systems in some of the most polluted rivers in the world, including in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, and are working towards the goal of tackling the 1,000 most polluting rivers on Earth.
The Great Bubble Barrier: This innovative Dutch project uses a curtain of bubbles to block plastic pollution in rivers without disrupting boat traffic or marine life. Installed diagonally across a river, the bubbles push plastic to a collection point on the bank, where it can be retrieved. The first long-term barrier was installed in Amsterdam, demonstrating a creative, non-intrusive solution to the problem.
Plastic Fischer: This social enterprise deploys simple, low-tech, and locally-built “TrashBooms” in rivers in India and other countries. The project focuses on creating local jobs by employing teams to collect the trapped plastic, sort it, and prepare it for local recycling. Their model is a powerful example of how environmental and social impact can be achieved simultaneously through a simple, scalable approach.
River Cleanup: Founded in Belgium, this non-profit takes a multi-pronged approach to river pollution. They organize massive volunteer cleanup events to raise awareness and remove plastic, but also work with companies and governments to prevent pollution at its source. Their “Clean River Model” is a holistic, open-source framework designed to be a blueprint for other communities around the world.
The Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative: In the United States, this project combines science and community action to combat pollution in one of the world’s most iconic rivers. The initiative, led by the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative in partnership with the UN Environment Programme and others, empowers citizen scientists to collect data on what types of plastic are polluting the river. This information is then used to create targeted solutions and advocate for policy change at a local level.
Together, these projects, alongside the work of Gary Bencheghib and Sungai Design, form a network of hope. They show that whether through daring activism, cutting-edge technology, or simple community empowerment, the fight for our rivers is a global one, and it’s a fight we can win
Gary’s plastic barriers are just one way to defend a river. See the other figures hauling waste and restoring currents in The River Mixer’s Guide to River Figures.
What began as a young man’s quest to clean a single river has grown into a powerful, global movement. The transformation of a polluted river’s plastic into a piece of beautiful furniture is more than just a clever business model; it’s a tangible symbol of hope. It shows us that waste doesn’t have to be the end of the story. It can be a new beginning. Let this inspire us all to look at the world’s problems not as obstacles, but as opportunities for innovation, beauty, and change.
Sungai Watch and its sister company, Sungai Design, were co-founded by siblings Gary, Sam, and Kelly Bencheghib. Gary is particularly known for his early activism and using media to bring attention to the issue, while Sam and Kelly are instrumental in the day-to-day operations and business strategy of both organizations.
Sungai Watch’s primary method is installing simple, scalable “trash barriers” in rivers. These floating barriers are strategically placed to intercept plastic pollution before it flows into the ocean. Their team of “River Warriors” then collects the trapped waste daily and transports it to a sorting facility.
Since its founding in 2020, Sungai Watch has collected millions of kilograms of plastic waste from rivers across Bali and Java. This massive volume of collected material is what inspired the need for a sustainable solution like Sungai Design.
Sungai Watch is the non-profit organization focused on river cleanup. Sungai Design is a for-profit company that takes a significant portion of the collected, low-value plastic (especially plastic bags) and upcycles it into a durable material for furniture. Sales from Sungai Design help fund the ongoing river cleanup efforts of Sungai Watch, creating a circular economy.
The process is ingenious. The collected plastic is first sorted and cleaned. It is then shredded and either heat-pressed or melted into hard, durable sheets. These sheets are then cut and shaped using CNC technology and finished by artisans to create the final furniture products.
This blog post uses publicly available information from various sources, synthesized with the help of AI, as a starting point for exploring the world of rivers. Our editors review the content for accuracy, though we encourage readers to verify information intended for primary source use. We strive to use public domain, licensed, or AI-generated images; due to the nature of online sharing, individual image sources are generally not credited. Please contact us regarding any copyright concerns.
We collect water solely from flowing freshwater sources such as rivers, named bayous, streams, creeks, and brooks. Historically significant man-made freshwater canals, like the Erie Canal, may also be included. In exceptional cases, we may consider non-freshwater waterways like the culturally significant Bosporus Strait.
The water we collect isn’t meant for consumption. It becomes part of our treasured collection, a source of inspiration and unique keepsakes.
We’d love to hear from you! Here’s how to get started:
Become a Member: Fill out the membership form on our website.
Tell Us About Yourself: After submitting the form, send us an email to share more about yourself and your reasons for wanting to be part of River Mixer.
Review Collection Guidelines: While you wait to hear back, take a look at our collection guidelines to ensure any river water you plan to submit meets our requirements.
Submit Your River Water (Optional): If you have river water you’d like to contribute, briefly describe it in your email, including the location and name (if applicable). We’ll let you know if it’s a good fit for the collection.
Each river contributes just 500 ml (16 oz) [or less] of its story to our collection, ensuring a unique representation of waterways around the world. We limit our collections to a single sampling trip per river.
To ensure the authenticity and provenance of our river water, we employ a multi-step verification process. This includes video and photographic documentation of collection sites, coupled with GPS location tracking. Additionally, we collaborate exclusively with thoroughly vetted members and volunteers who represent the River Mixer during water collection.
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We had multiple art options for this post’s cover, but only one could make the cut. Here are 5 runner-ups. Did we choose the right one?
