ECOTON Launches Indonesia's First "Microplastic Journey" Microplastic Laboratory Car to Prevent Plastic Waste from Entering the Ocean

Surabaya, August 2, 2026 – Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation (ECOTON) has officially launched the "Microplastic Journey" Microplastic Laboratory Car, Indonesia's first mobile educational laboratory that invites the public to learn about microplastics firsthand while driving efforts to prevent plastic waste before it pollutes rivers and oceans. The launch took place in Kenjeran Subdistrict, Surabaya City, as part of the MOZAIK (Mission for Zero Plastic Leakage) Program within the framework of the Partnership for Preventing Riverine Plastic Pollution Kali Tebu Surabaya.

This program is a collaboration between UNDP Indonesia, the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, the Surabaya City Government, the Surabaya City Environmental Agency, the National Coordination Team for Marine Debris Handling (TKN PSL), the Ministry of Environment, Clean Rivers, and ECOTON to strengthen efforts to prevent plastic pollution from land through rivers before it ultimately empties into the ocean. Kenjeran was chosen as the launch location because it is a coastal area that serves as an estuary for various river flows. Plastic waste carried by rivers will break down into microplastics due to exposure to sunlight, waves, and other natural processes, subsequently polluting marine ecosystems and potentially re-entering the human body through the food chain.

Cegah Polusi Plastik Ke Laut Ecoton Luncurkan Microplastic Journey, Mobil Laboratorium Mikroplastik Pertama di Dunia

Surabaya (2/8) Rofi Alhanif, Asisten Deputi Bidang Ekonomi Sirkular dan Dampak Lingkungan
di Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Pangan, Aza Wee Sile senior manager Komunikasi Clean River
Uni Emirate Arab, bersama founcder Ecoton berpose di mobil laboratorium Mikroplastik

"Polusi plastik bukan lagi masalah yang jauh dari kehidupan kita, tetapi tantangan global yang berdampak langsung pada kesehatan manusia. Pengurangan penggunaan plastik dan pengelolaan sampah yang lebih baik harus menjadi tanggung jawab bersama melalui kolaborasi lintas negara, pemerintah, organisasi, dan masyarakat." Ungkap Reinier van der Lely yang terkejut setelah menemukan partikel mikroplastik pada permukaan tangannya saat mengikuti demonstrasi di Mobil laboratorium Mikroplastik, Reinire adalah profesional di bidang pengelolaan limbah dan ekonomi sirkular yang bekerja sebagai Associate Director / Program Manager di Clean Rivers.

Surabaya, 3 Agustus 2026 – Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation (ECOTON) resmi meluncurkan Mobil Laboratorium Mikroplastik "Microplastic Journey", laboratorium edukasi keliling pertama di Indonesia yang mengajak masyarakat mengenal mikroplastik secara langsung sekaligus mendorong upaya pencegahan sampah plastik sebelum mencemari sungai dan laut. Peluncuran dilakukan di Kecamatan Kenjeran, Kota Surabaya, sebagai bagian dari Program  MOZAIK (Mission for Zero Plastic Leakage) dalam rangka Partnership for Preventing Riverine Plastic Pollution Kali Tebu Surabaya.