Activism and Citizen Science in East Java (Indonesia)

This piece is narrated by Prigi Arisandi (Founder and Director for Science, Art and Communication at ECOTON)

The Brantas River in East Java, upstream of the city of Surabaya, is in a severely polluted state, as indicated by the high rate of extinction of freshwater fish. In 1991, 61 freshwater fish species were identified, but now only around 41 species remain. This extinction is caused by uncontrolled pollution from industrial waste and the massive conversion of riverbank conservation areas into residential zones. A similar fate befalls the Surabaya River, a tributary of the Brantas River, where since the 1990s the recycled paper industry has been dumping untreated waste and poisoning the raw water source for Surabaya's drinking water supply. Approximately 98% of the raw water for Surabaya’s municipal water company (PDAM) comes from the Surabaya River. The waste dumping is an example of a clear injustice perpetuated by the industries and protected by the government. The government, which should be responsible for preserving the environment and ensuring river water quality, has instead tended to allow destructive practices to continue unchecked. Pollution of the Brantas River has resulted in 25% of fish in the downstream area experiencing intersex conditions due to pollution by Endocrine Disruption Chemicals (EDCs). Indicators of pollution are also evident from mass fish deaths in the Brantas River during the dry season (May to October). During this period, pollution in the Brantas River typically increases due to reduced water discharge combined with the influx of liquid waste from sugar factories, which operate in May. 

Stop Burning Plastic Waste, Save Sidoarjo’s Air from Dioxin & Microplastic Contamination

The action on May 19, 2025, was carried out by AKAMSI (Alliance of Riverbank Community Rescuers), consisting of the Ecological and Wetlands Conservation Study Institute (Ecoton), Aksi Biroe, and Surabaya River Revolution. They brought posters urging and informing the public to stop using plastic as fuel, following findings of microplastics in the air and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) levels exceeding ambient air quality standards. The action, held at the Sidoarjo Regency Square, highlighted the tofu production process at Tropodo Village tofu factories, which primarily use plastic waste as fuel.

ECOTON CALLS FOR EMERGENCY ACTION AGAINST TOXIC DIOXIN IN TROPODO

Monday, May 19, 2025 — Thirty environmental activists from Ecoton held a meeting with Bahrul Amig, Head of the Environmental Agency of Sidoarjo Regency. Ecoton’s Executive Director, Daru Setyorini, presented feedback and suggestions regarding the crisis of plastic waste burning for tofu production in Tropodo.

“There are many alternative fuel sources to replace plastic, including biomass from coconut shell waste and market waste located near the tofu production center in Tropodo. Ecoton’s investigation found two tofu entrepreneurs who use wood,” explained Daru Setyorini. Further, the Steering Committee member of the Indonesian Zero Waste Alliance listed six Ecoton recommendations to stop dioxin pollution in Tropodo.

Tofu Industry in Sidoarjo Agrees to Stop Burning Plastic Waste and B3 Waste

 

The agreement was made to reduce environmental pollution due to smoke from burning waste which has a serious impact on public health

Caption foto : The tofu industry players in Tropodo Village, Krian, Sidoarjo, signed an agreement to no longer use plastic waste and hazardous toxic materials as production fuel on Wednesday (14/5/2025) evening.

SIDOARJO, KOMPAS - Small and medium industry players in Tropodo Village, Sidoarjo Regency, East Java, have agreed to stop using plastic waste and hazardous and toxic materials as production fuel. This step is taken to reduce environmental pollution that has serious impacts on public health. The commitment of the industry players is expressed in the signing of an agreement to comply with regulations by no longer using plastic waste as fuel and hazardous toxic materials or B3 such as rubber, styrofoam, shoe soles, sandals, and leather. The agreement was signed at the Tropodo Village Hall on Wednesday evening (15/5/2025). The event was attended by dozens of industry players involved in tofu production and tofu frying businesses. Also present were the Head of Tropodo Village Haris Iswandi, the Regional Secretary of Sidoarjo Regency Feny Apridawati, the Head of the Sidoarjo Environment and Cleanliness Office Bahrul Amig, as well as representatives from the Sidoarjo Police Resort.

Looking for a Solution to Plastic Waste Incineration in the Sidoarjo Tofu Industry, Don't Stop at Recommendations

The founder of Ecoton (Ecological Observation and Wetland Conservation), Prigi Arisandi, also emphasized the importance of commitment from both local and central governments in enforcing regulations regarding environmental violations. According to Prigi, the practice of burning plastic waste by the tofu industry in Tropodo Village is not a new issue. In fact, there was already a mutual agreement in 2019, one of which was that the local government would assist in finding environmentally friendly fuel. "In addition, business actors also need funding support, for example, to convert their burning furnaces from plastic fuel to wood fuel. This requires a significant amount of funds," said Prigi. Not only that, Prigi also has not seen any commitment from the government to enforce regulations in accordance with the provisions of the legislation. Law Number 18 of 2008 concerning Waste Management clearly states that the process of burning waste that does not comply with technical standards falls under activities that violate the law.

Tofu Industry in Tropodo Sidoarjo Re-Uses Plastic Waste Fuel, What Are The Impacts?

Daru Setyorini, Executive Director of Ecoton, Looked on Pensively at the burning 
of plastic waste being used as fuel for tofu production in Tropodo, Sidoarjo Indonesia
Despite its harmful impact on public Health

Daru Setyorini, Executive Director of ECOTON, looked on pensively at the burning of plastic waste being used as fuel for tofu production, despite its harmful impact on public health.
"It is a consortium of a global network for policy advocacy and environmental health (International Pollutant Elimination Network/IPEN) together with the Arnika Association and Indonesian non-governmental organizations Nexus3 and Ecoton, which took samples of 6 eggs from Tropodo and Bangun to test for the presence of POPs compounds, including dioxins" Daru Setyorini Said. As Executive Director of Ecoton She Explain that The results of the laboratory tests presented in their report, "Plastic Waste Poisoning Indonesia's Food Chain," indicate that the dioxin levels in eggs from Tropodo (200 pg TEQ g-1 fat) are nearly equivalent to the highest dioxin levels found in eggs from Asia (248 pg TEQ g-1 fat), which occurred at the Bien Hoa site in Vietnam, a former United States military airbase where the land was contaminated by the historical use of Agent Orange. 

For decades, the tofu industry in Sidoarjo, East Java, has been using plastic waste and similar materials as fuel in the production process. This activity was temporarily halted in 2022, but it did not last long.

Stop Burning Plastic Waste in Tropodo Tofu Industry

The Executive Director of ECOTON, Daru Setyorini, Led Demonstration Opposing 
The practice of burning plastic waste for ttofu Production in Tropodo.
The Protest was held at Sidoarjo Town Square on Monday, May 19, 2025

The government must also act firmly in enforcing environmental regulations

SIDOARJO, KOMPAS - Executive Director of Ecoton, Daru Setyorini, stated that the burning of plastic waste as fuel for tofu production causes dioxin contamination. This practice also triggers the entry of microplastics into the food chain. Both pose a threat to public health. Tofu industry players in Tropodo Village, Sidoarjo, must consistently stop using plastic waste and hazardous toxic materials. The government is also urged to firmly enforce regulations regarding environmental protection. The demand was conveyed by environmental activists who are members of Ecoton (Ecological Observation and Wetland Conservation) during a demonstration at the Sidoarjo Square, East Java, Monday (19/5/2025).

Ikan Kali Surabaya Mati Massal Ecoton Tuntut Gubernur Jawa Timur Ungkap Sumber Ikan Mati Massal

 Gresik (19/05) - Ribuan ikan ditemukan mati mengambang di aliran Kali Surabaya yang melintasi Desa Wringinanom, Kabupaten Gresik, sejak Senin pagi (19/5/2025). Kejadian ini menandai babak baru dalam krisis ekologis di kawasan hilir Sungai Brantas, yang menjadi salah satu sumber air baku utama bagi jutaan warga Surabaya dan sekitarnya. Tim Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation (Ecoton) melakukan penelusuran sumber terjadinya ikan mati hingga 22.00 WIB. "Kami menelusuri sepanjang aliran Kali Surabaya ke wilayah Hulu dan menemukan fakta bahwa dikawasan hulu diatas pintu air Mlirip, Mojokerto sudah terlihat indikasi ikan mati sejak hari Sabtu (17/5/2025), Kemudian pada Hari Senin Dini hari pintu air Mlirip dibuka karena tingginya debit air Sungai Brantas, bersamaan dengan itu pada pukul 08.00 masyarakat di Wilayah Desa Kedungklinter dan Desa Wonoayu kecamatan Jetis Mojokerto menemukan banyak ikan yang lemas (kekuranganOksigen) naik kepermukaan air sungai sehingga warga berduyun-duyun menangkapi ikan"Ungkap Alaika.

Ikan Kali Surabaya Kembali Mati Massal, Cermin Buruk Pengelolaan Sungai di Jawa Timur

 

SENIN 19Mei 2025 Kali Surabaya mengalami ikan mati Massal, sejak 08.00 di pintu air Mlirip warga memunguti ikan yang naik kepermukaan dalam kondisi lemas, kemudian warga mengambili ikan dengan jaring atau dengan tangan kosong. Pada siang hari sekitar pukul 12.00 ikan munggut terjadi di Wringinanom. " Setelah melakukan uji air kami menemukan oksigen dalam air 0,1 mg/L jauh dibawah standar Baku mutu air kelas Dua yaitu 4 mg/L" ungkap Rafika aprilianti, lebih lanjut Kepala Laboratorium Kualitas air Ecoton ini menjelaskan bahwa air berlendir Dan keruh, kecilnya angka Kadar oksigen ini menyebabkan ikan mengalami kekurangan oksigen sehingga berlomba-lomba naik kepermukaan untuk mendapatkan oksigen kemudian masyarakat dengan mudah menangkap ikan dalam kondisi lemas kekurangan oksigen. "Oksigen optimum untuk ikan bisa hidup diatas 2,6 mg/L, jika Oksigen dibawah 2,6 maka ikan akan terganggu, apa lagi saat Oksigen dibawah 1 mg/L seperti saat ini terjadi di Kali Surabaya Maka dipastikan ikan akan lemas KARENA kurang oksigen" ujar Rafika

Aroma Sampah Plastik Impor, Racuni Udara Tebar ancaman kanker Masyarakat Tropodo

Suasana Desa Tropodo seakan tidak bisa lepas dari kabut asap pembakaran sampah plastik bahan bakar pembuatan Tahu. Asap hitam dihasilkan oleh 51 pabrik pembuat tahu beroperasi di Desa Tropodo’ “ Asap pekat dan aroma menyengat penyebab tenggorokan kering ini dihasilkan oleh pembakaran plastik sebagai bahan bakar utama dari proses pembuatan tahu, meski di larang pengusaha tahu dengan alasan ekonomis mengabaikan larangan dan tetap menggunakan sampah plastik untuk bahan bakar” ungkap Daru Setyorini, lebih lanjut Direktur Eksekutif ecoton ini menjelaskan bahwa pembakaran sampah plastik sebagai bahan bakar untuk produksi tahu menyebabkan kontaminasi dioksin dan mikroplastik ke dalam rantai makanan dan lingkungan, mengancam kesehatan masyarakat.

(foto Samping : Uji parameter PM 2.5 dan PM 10 dilakukan di Desa Tropodo pada Sabtu (18/5/2025)

4 Fakta ini Dorong Akamsi Gelar Aksi Stop Bakar Sampah Plastik

Jenis Plastik Sachet multilayer dijadikan bahan bakar produksi tahu di Desa
Tropodo, Kecamatan Krian Sidoarjo. 

 Aksi 19 Mei 2025 ini dilakukan oleh AKAMSI (Aliansi Komunitas Penyelamat Bantaran Sungai) yang terdiri dari Lembaga Kajian Ekologi dan Konservasi Lahan Basah (Ecoton), Aksi Biroe dan Surabaya River Revolution dengan membawa poster ajakan dan informatif kepada masyarakat untuk berhenti menjadikan plastik sebagai bahan bakar karena telah ditemukannya mikroplastik di udara serta Particulate Matter 2.5 dan 10 yang telah melebihi baku mutu. Aksi yang dilakukan di Alun-alun Kabupaten Sidoarjo menyoroti proses pembuatan tahu di pabrik tahu Desa Tropodo yang menggunakan bahan bakar utama sampah plastik.