The Mantanani Project
Protecting a reef, one pair of sunglasses at a time.
The Mantanani Islands (Malay: Pulau Mantanani) form a small group of three islands off the coast of northern Borneo, Malaysia.
Once home to coral reefs rich with life and extensive seagrass meadows where dugongs (sea cows) grazed, the islands now face mounting pressures. Rising ocean temperatures have triggered widespread coral bleaching, while unsustainable fishing practices, plastic waste, and growing human activity continue to weaken these fragile ecosystems. The seagrass has disappeared, the dugongs along with it, and the reefs themselves are increasingly at risk.
In 2022, we began funding regular beach cleanups on Mantanani’s west coast using revenue from sunglasses sales. For each pair of sunglasses sold, €10 goes directly to keeping this stretch of shoreline free from plastic.
Over three years, this has allowed us to maintain part of the island’s coast — but it is only the beginning.
The Challenge
Mantanani currently lacks an effective waste management system. Without structured trash collection or recycling, plastic waste washes onto its shores daily. At the same time, much of the island’s own waste is discarded directly into the environment, where it piles up or is pulled back into the sea.
There it damages corals, blocks sunlight, and breaks down into microplastics that poison marine life.
This pollution doesn’t just spoil the beaches: it weakens the reef, a foundation of the island’s ecosystem both above and below water.
Where We Are Now
A modest beginning
Since 2022, we’ve funded regular cleanups on the west coast of Mantanani Island. With the help of local workers, a stretch of shoreline has been consistently kept clear of plastic.
This matters because plastic on the beach doesn’t stay there — tides and storms pull it back into the sea, where it harms corals and marine life. By removing it early, we’ve reduced the flow of plastic into the reef and created a cleaner, safer coastline.
It’s only one stretch of beach, but it proves that consistent effort makes a difference — and that with support, it can grow.
A Foundation for What's Next
Cleanups today, a base for nurseries and restoration tomorrow
The Mantanani Project has been made possible with the support of Greenhouse Lodge and its local team. Their help has kept part of the island’s west coast clear of plastic, and they provide the ground on which the project can expand.
From here, the next phase becomes tangible: a sorting facility for collected plastic, and, with time, a coral nursery and education center to support restoration efforts.
