Activists from the Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation (ECOTON), alongside university students, installed an art installation resembling a faucet pouring plastic bottles into the streets of Surabaya
SURABAYA, Indonesia – In a striking visual protest against plastic pollution, activists from the Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation (ECOTON), alongside university students, installed an art installation resembling a faucet pouring plastic bottles into the streets of Surabaya on February 25, 2025. The installation, designed to raise public awareness, underscores Indonesia’s mounting plastic waste crisis and its impact on the environment and human health.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
The symbolic act aims to highlight the dangers of single-use plastics, urging the public to rethink their consumption habits, particularly regarding packaged food and disposable plastic products. “Indonesia is one of the largest consumers of plastic-laden products, and this waste crisis is spiraling out of control,” said an ECOTON representative.
Their message is clear: reducing reliance on single-use plastics is no longer optional—it’s essential.
Indonesia Among the World’s Largest Plastic Polluters
The urgency of the movement is backed by alarming data. According to a study published in Nature by researchers at the University of Leeds in September 2024, Indonesia ranks third among the world’s largest plastic polluters. The country produces approximately 3.4 million metric tons of plastic waste per year—trailing behind India, which generates 9.3 million metric tons annually, and Nigeria, which produces 3.5 million metric tons.
Other significant contributors to global plastic pollution include China (2.8 million metric tons), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, and Brazil. The study, conducted across 50,000 cities worldwide, analyzed mismanaged plastic waste, including improperly burned and openly dumped plastics, further underscoring the growing threat to ecosystems.
The problem is particularly acute in developing countries, where waste management infrastructure struggles to keep up with rapid urbanization and consumer demand. The study also identified the world’s most plastic-polluted cities, with Lagos, Nigeria, topping the list, followed by New Delhi, India; Luanda, Angola; Karachi, Pakistan; and Cairo, Egypt.
“Plastic pollution in developing nations is largely driven by inadequate waste management systems,” explained Costas Velis, lead researcher of the study. “Governments often lack the resources to establish comprehensive waste processing infrastructure, leading to plastic waste being dumped or burned in the open.”
Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, has faced increasing challenges with plastic waste accumulating in its rivers and coastal areas, further endangering marine biodiversity and public health.
The Looming Plastic Catastrophe
The environmental impact of plastic waste is growing at an unprecedented rate. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), global plastic production is projected to surge from its current 400 million metric tons per year to over 1.1 billion metric tons in the coming decades.
Without drastic intervention, plastic pollution will continue to choke marine life, contaminate water sources, and exacerbate climate change, as mismanaged waste often releases methane and other greenhouse gases when burned or broken down in landfills.
While Indonesia has pledged to reduce plastic waste by 70% by 2025, environmental activists argue that stronger policies and enforcement mechanisms are needed. The government has taken steps, such as banning plastic bags in major cities, but critics point out that single-use plastics are still widely available and poorly regulated.
ECOTON and other grassroots organizations are calling for:
- Stronger bans on single-use plastics, particularly in food and beverage packaging.
- Investment in recycling infrastructure to improve waste collection and processing.
- Public education campaigns to change consumer habits and promote sustainable alternatives.
“Every plastic bottle, every piece of packaging we refuse to use makes a difference,” said an ECOTON activist. “This is not just about waste—it’s about our future.”
Indonesia’s fight against plastic pollution is not just a national issue; it is a global concern. With plastic waste filling the oceans and infiltrating food chains, experts warn that the world is on the brink of an irreversible environmental disaster.
For Indonesia, and the world, the question remains: will we act before it’s too late?
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