Conducting “Plastic Surgery” on “Plastic Man” Ecoton Urges Global Plastic Treaty to Prevent Human Extinction Due to Plastic Pollution

"Small plastics known as microplastics have permeated vital human organs, including the blood, heart, lungs, kidneys, sperm, placenta, and even the brain. These findings should serve as a severe warning for humanity to stop plastic consumption," said Rafika Aprilianti. The Head of the Microplastics Laboratory further stated that strong regulations are needed at both the national and global levels. "We need a robust Global Plastic Treaty to halt plastic production, which has been proven to damage the environment and threaten human health and civilization, Ecoton Urges Global Plastic Treaty to Prevent Human Extinction Due to Plastic Pollution " she added.

Surabaya (13/11) – ECOTON (Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation) organized the theatrical action “Plastic Surgery on Plastic Man” in Surabaya as an expression of concern about the rampant microplastic pollution that has now entered the human body. In this action, ECOTON performed a theatrical display of extracting plastic from a 5-meter-tall and 5-meter-wide statue called “Plastic Man.” This statue serves as a visual representation of the increasing threat microplastics pose to human health and the environment.

The action, involving 30 ECOTON members, was also held to support the implementation of Surabaya Mayor Regulation No. 16 of 2022 regarding the reduction of single-use plastic bags in Surabaya. It highlighted the dangers of plastics that threaten human health. “Public behavior that reduces single-use plastic consumption will contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 12 on responsible production and consumption, as well as Goals 14 and 15, which emphasize the importance of protecting marine and terrestrial ecosystems from plastic pollution,” said Alaika Rahmatullah, an alumnus of the Islamic State University of Malang. He added that the “Plastic Surgery on Plastic Man” action reflects Generation Z’s concerns about environmental degradation due to single-use plastic items like plastic bottles, plastic bags, straws, and Styrofoam. The public needs literacy on this issue to better understand the importance of reducing single-use plastics to protect the Earth from further damage.

Microplastics in the Body: A Global Health Threat

Over the past five years, microplastics have been found in the human body, including in blood, blood vessels, lungs, kidneys, urine, sperm, breast milk, amniotic fluid, placenta, liver, stomach, feces, and even the brain (Appendix). Microplastics found in the blood represent a primary pathway through which these particles can be transported and circulated throughout the body. The composition of microplastics in human blood includes 50% PET, 36% PS, 23% LDPE, and 5% other types. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is commonly found in single-use plastic bottles and jugs. PS (polystyrene) includes Styrofoam, disposable utensils, plastic cups, and trays. LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is used in plastic bags, plastic wraps, bottle caps, and beverage cartons. Other plastics include multi-layer sachet packaging and electronic plastic components.

Plastics are composed of around 16,000 chemical compounds, including toxic substances such as Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, PCBs, and PBDEs, which have been proven harmful to human health. Microplastics have the ability to absorb and bind surrounding hazardous pollutants. These microplastics and their chemical components are bioaccumulative and persistent, meaning they build up in an organism’s tissues over its lifetime, as the body cannot fully eliminate these particles.

Rafika Aprilianti, Head of the Microplastics Laboratory at ECOTON, explained, “The main pathways for microplastics to enter the human body are through the consumption of food and beverages, polluted air, and the use of personal care products containing plastic particles (microbeads). Once these particles enter the bloodstream, microplastics can spread to various organs, carrying thousands of harmful chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and PCBs, which are toxic. These chemicals can trigger inflammation, disrupt the immune system, and adversely affect organ functions and the human reproductive system”

Supporting the Global Plastic Treaty to End Plastic Pollution

In addition to focusing on public awareness, this action also serves as ECOTON's call for the Indonesian government to actively support the Global Plastic Treaty currently being negotiated in international forums. At the end of November, the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting will take place, where United Nations (UN) member countries will continue discussions on a global agreement regulating the reduction of single-use plastics and plastic pollution. ECOTON hopes Indonesia will take an active role in emphasizing the importance of strict regulations on plastic production and usage.

This action advocates for a strong and binding Global Plastic Treaty that aims to achieve plastic reduction, halt plastic pollution, and shift towards more sustainable alternatives while minimizing negative impacts on health and the environment. ECOTON urges support for this negotiation process, emphasizing that the global agreement should include concrete steps to reduce plastic production and reinforce responsibility in managing plastic waste that ends up in the environment.

ECOTON's Demands

Through the “Plastic Surgery” action, ECOTON presents three main demands:

1. Appealing to the public to reduce the consumption of food in plastic packaging,  As the country with the highest consumption of microplastics (15 grams per month), the people of Indonesia must be willing to stop or reject products that are potential sources of plastic in the body, such as: 

a.    Single-use bottled or gallon water, which is a source of microplastics entering the body, 93% of bottled drinking water contains microplastics. Recent findings by Ecoton show that 30 brands of flavored or carbonated drinks in plastic containers contain microplastics

b.    Food and drinks in sachets, 36% of the types of microplastic polymers found in the feces of residents in Java are EVOH polymers, which make up sachets

c.    Single-use paper cups or plastic cups, around 700-1500 microplastic particles were found per cup used for hot beverages

d.    Tea bags, plastic cutting boards.

e.    Styrofoam, contains styrene compounds which are carcinogenic

f.     Clear plastic used for containers of vegetables/food/hot beverages, which dissolves phthalates or plasticizers into food and drinks

2. Regulation on Reducing the Use of Single-Use Plastics – The public is encouraged to drastically reduce the use of single-use plastics in order to minimize the risk of microplastic exposure that can harm health
3. Encouraging the Government to Commit Strongly to Achieving the Global Plastic Treaty to reduce plastic production and end plastic pollution by 2040
4. Labeling Plastic Polymer Types on Packaging – ECOTON urges producers to list the type of plastic polymer used in every packaging for food, beverages, and personal care products, so that consumers can make more informed and safer choices, as well as ensure that there is no microplastic content in food, beverages, and personal care products sold to the public
5. Routine Inspections of Packaging – The government and relevant institutions are encouraged to routinely inspect packaging products that have the potential to release microplastics, to protect public health, especially for children.
6. The Government to Develop Microplastic Standards for seafood, liquid waste from paper recycling and plastic recycling industries, as well as river water used as drinking water sources
7. Encouraging Industries to avoid using single-use plastic containers for food and beverages that pose a risk to consumer health. Industries should also implement Extended Producer Responsibility, taking responsibility for plastic container waste that pollutes rivers, oceans (natural environments), and wildlife. Prioritizing distribution systems based on Refill or Reuse systems to reduce plastic waste on Earth.

Contact Person:

Rafika Aprilianti (082144541774)