ECOTON and River Warrior Launch MIMO, a Mobile Laboratory that Raises Awareness of Microplastic Hazards and Helps Children Cope with Environmental Anxiety

“Mimo also encourages young people to use social media to campaign about the dangers of single-use plastics in food packaging,” said Sofi Azilan Aini. The Ecoton microplastic researcher further explained that Mimo is expected to become a companion for young people, inspiring them to take concrete action in addressing the environmental crisis caused by the widespread use of single-use plastics. “Knowledge is gained when students learn about different types of microplastics and their impacts on the human body; skills are developed when students collect samples from leaves, skin, and beverages packaged in plastic; while attitude is shaped after students receive education that they can later share with their parents and the communities around them.”

Mimo Helps Address Students’ Environmental Anxiety

Surabaya, 31 August 2026. Mimo (Microplastic Mobile Laboratory) was created to encourage people to reduce their use of single-use plastics while also serving as a mobile environmental health laboratory and a mental health action program for children and young people. Through Mimo, students not only learn to identify microplastic pollution and conduct simple research in their surroundings, but are also encouraged to understand and manage their anxiety about environmental degradation. This approach helps students transform feelings of fear and concern into knowledge and concrete actions to reduce environmental problems. According to Erica Damayanti, Coordinator Program Of Mimo, Mimo was designed to achieve three objectives: The first objective is to provide information about microplastics, their sources, and their health impacts on humans. The second objective is to equip young people with the skills to detect microplastics on the skin, in water, in the air, and on the surface of leaves using microscopes and microplastic sampling techniques in the environment. Most importantly, the third objective is to encourage young people to reduce their use of single-use plastics, including food and beverage sachets, plastic cups and bottles, styrofoam containers, straws, and plastic food packaging.

Mimo Explores Kali Tebu and Encourages Students to Conduct Hands-On Research

During this activity, students learned about microplastics directly on the banks of Kali Tebu. They were invited to collect river water samples and observe them using laboratory equipment available inside the Microplastic Mobile Laboratory.  Rafika Aprilianti, an Ecoton Head of Microplastic Laboratory, emphasized that students should reduce their consumption of drinks served in plastic packaging. “You shouldn’t drink iced beverages served in plastic bags like this because they may contain microplastics. If you want a drink, ask for it to be served in your tumbler instead,” she explained. Students not only learned about microplastics but also gained an understanding that microplastics can be found almost everywhere.

Gibran Enthusiastically Uses a Microscope for the First Time

Gibran, a third-grade student at SD Negeri Tanah Kali Kedinding, was delighted by Mimo’s visit. According to him, learning about microplastics became much more interesting because it was conducted directly in the field and presented through enjoyable activities. “It’s fun, Miss. This is something new for us. We can play while learning.” According to Gibran, he and his friends are very eager to learn with Mimo again and hope that Mimo will return so they can continue using microscopes.

Invisible to the Naked Eye, Yet Very Real

Fikri, a sixth-grade student at SD Negeri Sidotopo Wetan V, admitted that he was surprised after observing a water sample from Kali Tebu.

“Earlier I collected a water sample from Kali Tebu in front of my school. It looked clean, but when I examined it under the microscope, I saw lots of microplastic particles and dirt because many people still throw their waste into Kali Tebu.”

Observing microplastics provided students with a new experience. Water from Kali Tebu that appeared clean to the naked eye was found to contain microplastic particles that could only be seen through a microscope. Students were also introduced to the idea that plastic pollution is not only found in river water but can also be present in the surrounding environment, including on leaves and potentially even on the human body.

Already Accustomed to Bringing Reusable Water Bottles to School

Some students have already developed the habit of bringing reusable water bottles to school. One of them is Carissa, a sixth-grade student at SD Negeri Sidotopo Wetan V, who said:

“When leaving home, to reduce exposure to microplastics, we should bring our own tumbler and lunch box.” Not only does Carissa practice this habit herself, but she also encourages her friends to do the same.

The Mimo exploration program in Kali Tebu is one of the efforts to bring microplastic education closer to the community, especially children. Through direct learning experiences, students not only gain knowledge about the dangers of plastic pollution but also understand that meaningful change can begin with simple everyday habits.