ECOTON Launches Indonesia's First "Microplastic Journey" Microplastic Laboratory Car to Prevent Plastic Waste from Entering the Ocean

Surabaya, August 2, 2026 – Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation (ECOTON) has officially launched the "Microplastic Journey" Microplastic Laboratory Car, Indonesia's first mobile educational laboratory that invites the public to learn about microplastics firsthand while driving efforts to prevent plastic waste before it pollutes rivers and oceans. The launch took place in Kenjeran Subdistrict, Surabaya City, as part of the MOZAIK (Mission for Zero Plastic Leakage) Program within the framework of the Partnership for Preventing Riverine Plastic Pollution Kali Tebu Surabaya.

This program is a collaboration between UNDP Indonesia, the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, the Surabaya City Government, the Surabaya City Environmental Agency, the National Coordination Team for Marine Debris Handling (TKN PSL), the Ministry of Environment, Clean Rivers, and ECOTON to strengthen efforts to prevent plastic pollution from land through rivers before it ultimately empties into the ocean. Kenjeran was chosen as the launch location because it is a coastal area that serves as an estuary for various river flows. Plastic waste carried by rivers will break down into microplastics due to exposure to sunlight, waves, and other natural processes, subsequently polluting marine ecosystems and potentially re-entering the human body through the food chain.

Clean Rivers Delegation, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment Representative, and Rofi Alhanif as a Assistant Deputy for Circular Economy and Environmental Impact at the Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Pangan Visit Microplastic Laboratory Car Launch Surabaya, Ahad (2/8/2026). | Foto: Fully Syafi

Microplastic Laboratory Comes Closer to the Community

Microplastic Journey is a mobile laboratory that brings hands-on learning experiences to the community, ranging from kindergarten to high school/vocational school students, university students, communities, government agencies, companies, and the general public.

This laboratory car is equipped with:

1.    a stereo microscope and several portable microscopes,

2.    microplastic preparation and analysis equipment,

3.    water and air quality testing tools,

4.    as well as various educational media and games on understanding the importance of waste segregation, river conservation, and reducing single-use plastics.

Through a learning by doing approach, participants can directly observe microplastics, try simple practices of microplastic analysis and environmental quality testing, get to know various types of microplastics along with their pollution sources, and participate in citizen science activities to understand the environmental conditions around them.

Through this experience, the public is invited to understand that microplastic pollution can be prevented at its source, namely by reducing the use of single-use plastics, not throwing garbage into rivers, not burning garbage, and managing waste properly so it does not end up in the ocean.

Education to Prevent Waste Before It Becomes Microplastics

Through the Microplastic Journey, ECOTON along with its partners invites the public to implement simple steps to reduce plastic pollution, including:

●     Reducing the use of single-use plastics.

●     Not throwing trash into rivers or waterways.

●     Not burning garbage because it produces harmful particles and substances.

●     Sorting and managing waste properly.

●     Participating in keeping rivers clean so they do not become entry routes for waste into the ocean.

This program carries the spirit:

"Everyone is a Scientist, Everyone is an Activist."

Through hands-on learning experiences, the public is expected not only to understand the dangers of microplastics but also to be motivated to become part of the solution to stop plastic waste leakage into the environment.

Enthusiasm from Various Parties

The caretaker of the Assalafi Al Fitrah Tanah Kali Kedinding Islamic Boarding School, Rudi, welcomed the presence of the Microplastic Laboratory Car as a learning medium that is close to the community.

"Education like this is very important to be introduced to the students from an early age. We hope to collaborate with ECOTON so that the students not only understand the issue of microplastics theoretically but also see the evidence directly through this laboratory. The hope is that they become a generation that cares about the environment and is capable of inviting the community to reduce plastic waste and maintain river cleanliness."

 

Eager to learn, students and parents explore the microscopic world of plastic pollution at the Microplastic Laboratory Car Ahad, (2/8/2026).| Foto: Amalia Fibrianty

One of the visitors, Erlyta, an 8th-grade student at SMP Negeri 58 Surabaya, admitted she was surprised when she found microplastics on the surface of her hand's skin.

"I didn't expect to find film-type microplastics on my hand, one of which comes from plastic bags. From this, I came to know that microplastics are all around us, and can even stick to our bodies. I also came to understand that burning garbage is not a solution because it produces harmful particles and substances. From now on, I want to reduce the use of plastics and not burn garbage."

A representative of the Surabaya City Health Office, Ifa, appreciated the educational innovation carried out by ECOTON.

"The Microplastic Laboratory Car serves as a very interesting educational tool because the public can see firsthand the presence of microplastics around them. The hope is that public awareness will increasingly rise to reduce the use of single-use plastics as part of efforts to protect human health and the environment."

 Reiner, a representative of Clean Rivers from the United Arab Emirates, also admitted he was surprised after finding microplastic particles on the surface of his hand while participating in a demonstration at the laboratory.

"I was truly surprised when I found microplastics on my hand. This shows that plastic pollution is no longer a problem distant from our lives, but a global challenge that has a direct impact on human health. Reducing plastic use and better waste management must be a shared responsibility through collaboration across countries, governments, organizations, and communities."

The launch of the Microplastic Journey is expected to be the first step in expanding education regarding microplastics to various regions in Indonesia. With more people understanding the connection between plastic waste, rivers, oceans, and human health, it is hoped that there will be an even larger collective movement to prevent plastic waste from entering the environment.