“We have to stop our habit of eating plastic, we must reduce the use of single-use plastics”

(Surabaya, 25 February2021) 50 Environmental activists from Muhammadiyah University Lovers of the Universe (MUPALAS) with the Reject Plastic Community (KTP) and Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation (ECOTON) core member Breakfreefromplastic unfurled posters during the # 2021stopeatingplastic campaign  in the Kenjeran coastal area of ​​Surabaya, East Java, Thursday (25/2/2021) The action began with an Brand audit, audit of the plastic wrap brand that became trash in these waters as an effort to encourage citizens of the earth to collaborate to free water from microplastics. The brand audit activity continues the results of community research against single-use plastics from state universities in Madura and Surabaya showing that seawater and marine life have been contaminated by microplastics. 

They demanded that consumer good producers provide special plastic sachet containers that cannot be recycled. If this is not done, the North coast of Java will be eroded by microplastics because the negative impacts of this plastic waste outweigh the benefits. It is feared that microplastics could threaten the environment and marine life in the Madura Strait. Micplastics are plastic crumbs or flakes measuring approximately 5 mm to 330 microns or 0,33 mm.

Surabaya east coast areas become trash cans because solid waste services only reach 30% -40% of the population, the remaining up to 70% of East Java's population is littered and coastal /River becomes a land fill.

From the results of the brand audit, it was found that the top 10 producers of the largest plastic waste contributors were PT. Wings, nestle, PT. Forisa Nusa Persada, Indofood, PT. Mayora Indah, PT. Santos Jaya Abadi, Frisian Flag, PT. Marimas Putera Kencana
, Gift of Fresh Nature, and Nutrifood.

These companies also have responsibility for the post-consumption waste of their products (Extended producer Responsibility). This is clearly stated in Law Number 18 of 2008 concerning Waste Management Article 15 which states that producers are required to manage the packaging and / or goods they produce that cannot or are difficult to decompose by natural Processes. Environmental activists invite the public to reduce the use of consumables and plastics such as disposable diapers, plastic bags, Styrofoam, straws, plastic bottles, and sachet.

“Fish, shrimp, sea cucumbers and mussels in the Madura Strait have been contaminated with microplastics, the plastic waste that we throw away is consumed by the seafood we eat. We have to stop our habit of eating plastic, we must reduce the use of single-use plastics," said Randu, the coordinator of Mupalas.

“through this campaign bring access of information on Good Circular Economy; consume less, consume Sbetter and create critical communities and understand about health impact from microplastic” Said Andreas as Ecotons Microplastic research coordinator.