Facing the Global Plastic Crisis, Ecoton Conducts a Plastic Surgery Tour in East Java

The Fifth and Final Round of Plastics Treaty negotiations is Coming up. World Leader will gather in Busan, South Korea at INC 5 November, 25 to December 2, 2024 and We need to make sure it will be strong.  “Ecoton will be present at INC 5 alongside global environmental organizations pushing for No more plastic pollution, A pledge for people and the planet “ Daru Setyorini said, Ecoton's executive director further stated that Ecoton as a member of Breakfreefromplastics would participate in encouraging member states to agree on treaty provisions that can:

1.      Address and ensure global plastic production reduction with aims to phasing out plastic production

2.      Promote reuse systems over downstream measures

3.      Regulate and eliminate hazardous/of concern chemicals and polymers

4.      Guarantee a strong, equitable, and dedicated financial mechanism

“We must unite and push strong and ambitous global plastic treaty , The treaty can effectively cut plastic production, ban unnecessary plastic products, promote reuse system, and phase out harmful chemical” Daru Setyorini said

Millions of people around the world have taken action to stop plastic pollution, and momentum is building! Nations must deliver a strong end effective treaty that will reduce plastic production. In the momentum of INC 5, Ecoton is also building public awareness about the dangers of microplastics, considering that the Indonesian population is the highest consumer of microplastics in the world.

With a 5x5 meter Plastic Human Statue, Ecoton aims to send a message to the public to use single-use plastic for food and beverage containers more wisely. This is based on the fact that small plastic fragments, or microplastics, found in human organs originate from plastic beverage packaging. After being exhibited in Surabaya on November 13–15, 2024, the Plastic Human statue was showcased at Purwodadi Botanical Garden on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

“The Plastic Human appeared at the East Java Climate Generation Action Festival in Purwodadi Botanical Garden, organized by Cempaka Foundation and Save The Children, attended by 380 children from child forums across 7 districts in East Java. The event's theme was ‘It’s Time to Free Rivers from Waste,’” said Prigi Arisandi, Ecoton’s Science, Communication, and Art Coordinator. He further explained that the Plastic Human would tour East Java. “This November, the Plastic Human will undergo surgery in Malang and Tulungagung. We are collaborating with environmental communities in East Java cities,” Prigi added.

Plastic Surgery

“50% of the types of plastics found in human blood are PET or Polyethylene Terephthalate, a strong, lightweight, and transparent plastic. This material is commonly used to package food and beverages, such as water bottles, soda bottles, and jam jars,” explained Rafika Aprilianti, the head of Ecoton’s microplastics laboratory. She further elaborated that microplastics have been found in vital human organs such as the heart, kidneys, testes, liver, lungs, and even the placenta. “We feel it is necessary to raise awareness about the threat of microplastics to human health,” said Rafika, an alumnus of the Biology Department at the State Islamic University of Malang.

To educate the public about the dangers of microplastics, Ecoton created a giant statue made of iron filled with used plastic items such as plastic bags, bottled water containers, Styrofoam, plastic cups, plastic plates, single-use water gallons, and sachets for food and beverages. “The 5-meter-wide and 5-meter-tall giant statue was constructed over six weeks. Initially, we designed it on a computer, then built a cardboard replica, followed by work using 8 mm reinforced iron and stainless steel wire, completed by four welders and wire weavers,” explained Prigi Arisandi. He added that the Plastic Human statue is meant to visualize the condition of the human body currently contaminated by microplastics. To complement this, Ecoton’s creative team also created replicas of the heart, kidneys, and lungs. “The Plastic Human is equipped with replicas of the heart, kidneys, and liver embedded with plastics such as straws, plastic bags, plastic bottles, and sachets. These plastics will later be removed through a surgical process. The Plastic Human exhibition also includes posters containing microplastic research findings, information on low-plastic lifestyles, and practices for observing microplastics through a microscope.”

 Educating About the Threat of Microplastics

“Currently, we are facing a global plastic crisis. From November 25 to December 2, 2024, a global plastic agreement will be discussed in Busan by 176 countries worldwide, considering the severe threat of plastic pollution to the Earth and its impact on human health,” said Rafika. She further explained that Indonesians are now among the highest plastic consumers, using approximately 15 grams per month. The consumption pattern still heavily relies on food and beverage containers made of plastic, requiring educational efforts and outreach to encourage wise use of single-use plastics.

“One of the goals of the Plastic Human’s Plastic Surgery campaign is to educate the public about the threat of microplastics and raise awareness about the dangers of plastic containers for food and beverages to human health. This is aimed at encouraging the public to use single-use plastics more wisely,” Rafika added.

She further outlined five objectives of the Plastic Human’s Plastic Surgery campaign:

1. Raising awareness of the contamination of human organs by microplastics.
2. Educating on the health impacts of microplastics on humans.
3. Introducing sources and pathways of microplastics entering the human body.
4. Providing tips to reduce microplastic contamination.
5. Educating on the types of microplastics.

“Communities in East Java can host the Plastic Human’s Plastic Surgery activities. Communities can provide transportation to carry the Plastic Human. We will also set up exhibition tents featuring posters about microplastics and microscopes for microplastic testing,” said Rafika. She further explained that communities could conduct microplastic testing on skin and facial skin as well as microplastic levels in the air.

“We also have a special drone that can capture microplastics in the air and, simultaneously, allow observation of the types of microplastics present in the air around the exhibition site,” Rafika concluded.

Communities interested in participating can contact Rafika Aprilianti at 0821-4454-1774.