Beware of the Microplastic Threat - Indonesian Gen Z Calls for a Ban on Single-Use Plastics

An Action by Ecoton activists Member of Breakfreefromplastic highlighted
the impacts of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, which caused
intersex condition in fish in Kalimas River, Surabaya (2017)

The Gen Z social movement to reduce single-use plastic (SUP) consumption without regulatory support remains merely a moral appeal. What is urgently needed today is legal certainty and structural commitment through binding regulations on single-use plastic reduction.

Findings by Ecoton, the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, and the Woonjin Institute (South Korea) have revealed the presence of plastic-related chemical compounds such as phthalates, BPA, and PFAS in the blood of female waste sorters. Additionally, the detection of microplastics in blood, amniotic fluid, and urine of pregnant women has become a serious alarm signaling a microplastic crisis and the dangers of plastic chemicals to human health.

Five students from the Department of Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember—Fildza Sabrina Vansyachroni, Febriani Marsha Dwi Hardianti, Indah Dwi Nur Aulia, Vika Anjani, and Dewi Puspita Sari—conducted a survey on Generation Z’s perceptions in East Java regarding single-use plastics and the dangers of microplastics.

“The survey, conducted from June 2025 to January 2026, involved 1,000 respondents consisting of high school students and university students living across 15 cities and regencies in East Java,” said Fildza Sabrina Vansyachroni. 

The respondents came from Surabaya, Gresik, Sidoarjo, Mojokerto, Lamongan, Jember, Situbondo, Probolinggo, Bondowoso, Banyuwangi, Nganjuk, Malang, Lumajang, Kediri, and Tulungagung. The survey found that 92% of respondents regularly use single-use plastic products, such as bottled drinking water, sachets, plastic bags, and plastic cups. This figure highlights the high level of dependency of Gen Z on single-use plastics.

“This is the voice of Generation Z—a generation that today makes up nearly 28% of Indonesia’s total population, or around 74 million people. They are not only a demographic bonus, but also the generation inheriting unresolved environmental crises, one of which is the threat of microplastics,” stated Febriani Marsha Dwi Hardianti.

According to the survey, 83% of respondents understand that plastics can degrade into particles smaller than 5 mm known as microplastics, and 97% of Gen Z respondents are aware that microplastics pose serious health risks to humans and damage ecosystems.

“This high level of awareness has encouraged Gen Z to adopt behavioral changes by reducing their use of single-use plastics,” explained Indah Dwi Nur Aulia.

 The behavioral changes reported include:

• 61% replacing bottled drinking water with reusable tumblers,
• 18% replacing styrofoam, greaseproof paper, and disposable food containers with reusable lunch boxes or tiffin carriers,
• 13% reducing plastic bag use and switching to tote bags,
• 5% choosing not to burn plastic waste,
• 2% no longer using plastic straws,
• 1% expressing willingness to stop using sachet packaging.

Burning plastic waste remains a common waste management practice in Indonesia. However, beyond contributing to microplastic pollution, this activity releases dioxins and furans, which are carcinogenic compounds.

Instagram as the Primary Source of Microplastic Information

Information about the dangers of single-use plastics and microplastics is primarily obtained through social media, with Instagram as the most popular platform (55%), followed by TikTok (24%), WhatsApp (15%), YouTube (4%), Facebook (1%), and Telegram (1%).

Respondents also identified the types of content they prefer regarding single-use plastics:

• Everyday facts presented as reels (33%),
• Research data in infographic form (28%),
• Practical tips through video tutorials (17%),
• Light narratives through storytelling (11%),
• Interactive content such as quizzes and challenges (9%).

 Gen Z Is Willing to Share

Recognizing the importance of information on microplastics, 82% of respondents expressed their willingness to actively participate in disseminating information about the dangers of single-use plastics and microplastics, particularly through Instagram.

“Platforms like Instagram are strategic because their users are dominated by people of productive age, especially Gen Z. The content is relatively formal and informative, and it has a wide reach to help push public policy agendas,” said Vika Anjani.

Once again, the study emphasizes that Gen Z-led movements to reduce single-use plastics without regulatory backing remain moral appeals. What is urgently required is legal certainty and structural alignment through enforceable policies on single-use plastic reduction.

“Efforts to reduce single-use plastics must be supported by policy frameworks that include clear sanctions to ensure public compliance, as seen in Japan and Germany,” stated Dewi Puspita Sari.

The sixth-semester student from Jetis, Mojokerto, further explained that Japan’s success in waste management is not solely due to technology, but rather to strong regulations and strict household-level waste sorting discipline, reinforced by firm social sanctions. Meanwhile, Germany implements the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation, which obligates producers to take full responsibility for the packaging they generate, including the costs of its management.