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).

So far, Tropodo has become the second highest dioxin-contaminated site in Asia. The dioxin levels in free-range chicken eggs, for instance, reach 200 pq TEQ G-1 fat. This amount is 80 times higher than the WHO standard of 2.5 pq TEQ G-1 fat.

In addition, a study by Ecoton on May 17, 2025, stated that PM 2.5 pollution reached 1063 ug/m3. This far exceeds the quality standard set by PP 22/2021, which is 55 ug/m3.

"Ecoton also detected the presence of microplastic contamination at a rate of 25 particles/m2. The existence of these microplastics is due to incomplete plastic combustion," said Daru.

He added that the presence of microplastics in the air leads to a high number of upper respiratory tract infection sufferers in Tropodo due to irritation and infection of the respiratory organs.

On Saturday (17/5/2025), the Ecoton Team measured total PM 2.5 and PM 10 particulates at the Tropodo Krian Village tofu factory which uses plastic scrap, firewood and coconut shells as fuel.

Total particulate measurements were carried out using the HT-9600 Particle Counter tool from the HTI brand with a sampling time of 120 seconds. This tool has a PM 2.5 optoelectronic sensor, a sample pump method, a laser diode, and the ability to absorb particle sizes from 0.3 millimeters, 2.5 and 10 millimeters

The results of ambient air measurements around the boiler fueled by a plastic mixture indicate that the total particulate matter PM 2.5 is 16 to 35 times and PM 10 is 9 to 19 times higher than the ambient air quality standards.

Meanwhile, the results of ambient air measurements around the tofu frying furnace fueled by plastic indicate that the total particulate matter PM 2.5 is 16-28 times and PM 10 is 9-14 times higher than the ambient air quality standards.

The founder of Ecoton, Prigi Arisandi, added that the high levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 are very dangerous to the health of workers and the community. The reason is that these particles are very small, making it easy for them to enter the lungs and bloodstream.

The impact is fatal. The particles are prone to causing respiratory, heart, hormonal system, reproductive organ disorders and even triggering cancer.

Based on the results, Ecoton recommends that the central and regional governments prohibit the use of plastic waste. It even emphasizes plastics made from petroleum and additives. Their incineration will only release toxins into the surrounding environment.

Environmental activists are also urging the government to assist in subsidizing the procurement of environmentally friendly energy equipment. This includes efficient stoves for the production of Tropodo tofu.

"Also stop importing paper and plastic waste into Indonesia," said Prigi.

"God, Protect My Eggs From Dioxin
Contamination"

For a long time, the activities of washing and processing waste from developed countries have been a form of environmental colonization that must be stopped immediately in this country. The profits gained by the industry recycling imported waste are not commensurate with the economic, social, and environmental burdens on the nation.

"As a sovereign nation, Indonesia must promptly realize the plan to cease waste imports by 2025. Indonesia needs to improve its domestic waste management system. This is essential to replace the dependence on imported waste for the recycling industry," emphasized Prigi.

Another recommendation is the optimization of local waste for raw materials in the paper recycling industry, without having to rely on imported waste. They also urged waste importers to Indonesia to take responsibility for restoring the contamination of dioxin toxins and microplastics in Tropodo.

The Head of the Environment and Cleanliness Agency of Sidoarjo, Bahrul Amig, stated that a strategic plan has been developed to stop the burning of plastic waste and hazardous materials in Tropodo Village. The reason is that there are economic interests of the community that must also be preserved.

"In this initial stage, we are targeting no more use of hazardous toxic materials or B3 waste," said Amig

Tolerance of Plastic Waste

Amig stated that the use of hazardous materials as fuel for production in the tofu industry in Tropodo Village is tolerated until Wednesday (21/5/2025). If they continue to be stubborn, the business operators will face the police.

The use of plastic waste is still tolerated until early June 2025, or two weeks after May 21, 2025. The condition is that entrepreneurs must not use plastic waste entirely as fuel. They must mix it with wood, rice husks, or wood waste.

"In addition, the type of plastic waste that is permitted is RDF (refused derived fuel), not whole plastic waste," said Amig.

He added that the Sidoarjo Regency Government aims to achieve a plastic waste-free status in Tropodo Village by mid-June 2025. During the transition period, the local government is working to assist business actors in finding environmentally friendly and economically valuable alternative fuels.

The day before, the Sidoarjo Regent Subandi met with tofu entrepreneurs in Tropodo Village. On that occasion, he promised to assist the entrepreneurs in transforming away from plastic and hazardous waste.

"The Sidoarjo Regency Government is still exploring the opportunity to use natural gas as fuel. This will be communicated with the East Java Provincial Government regarding the procurement of the gas network leading to Tropodo Village," said Subandi

Source :  https://www.kompas.id/artikel/en-aktivis-lingkungan-desak-industri-tahu-di-desa-tropodo-konsisten-hentikan-pembakaran-sampah-plastik?open_from=Search_Result_Page

By : Runik Sri Astuti - 19 Mei 2025 15:52 WIB