Gresik (20/05) – The atmosphere in Tropodo Village seems inseparable from the haze of smoke caused by the burning of plastic waste used as fuel for tofu production. Thick black smoke is produced by 51 tofu factories operating in Tropodo.
“The choking smoke and pungent odor, which cause dry throats, come from burning plastic as the main fuel in the tofu-making process. Although it’s prohibited, tofu producers ignore the ban due to economic reasons and continue using plastic waste as fuel,” said Daru Setyorini.
The Executive Director of ECOTON further explained that burning plastic waste as fuel for tofu production leads to dioxin and microplastic contamination in the food chain and environment, threatening public health. Tropodo has become the second most dioxin-contaminated location in Asia. The dioxin level in free-range chicken eggs reaches 200 pg TEQ/g fat, which is 80 times higher than the WHO standard of 2.5 pg TEQ/g fat. According to ECOTON’s research on May 17, 2025, PM 2.5 pollution reached 1,063 µg/m³, far exceeding the national air quality standard under Government Regulation No. 22/2021, which is 55 µg/m³.
In Tropodo’s air, ECOTON also detected 25 microplastic particles per square meter, originating from the incomplete combustion of plastic. The presence of airborne microplastics has led to a high number of acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in Tropodo, caused by irritation and infection of the respiratory system.
PM 2.5 and PM 10 Trigger Cancer
On Saturday, 17/05/2025, the Ecoton Team measured total PM2.5 and PM10 particulates at the Tropodo Krian Village tofu factory which uses plastic scrap, firewood and coconut shell fuel. Total particulate measurements were carried out using the Particle Counter HT-9600 HTI brand with a sampling time of 120 seconds. This tool has a PM2.5 optoelectronic sensor, sample pump method, laser diode caka source and the ability to absorb particle sizes of 0.3, 2.5 and 10
Ambient air measurements around boilers fueled with mixed plastic waste indicate that PM2.5 levels are 16 to 35 times higher, and PM10 levels are 9 to 19 times higher than the ambient air quality standards. Similarly, ambient air measurements near tofu frying furnaces that use plastic as fuel show PM2.5 levels to be 16 to 28 times, and PM10 levels to be 9 to 14 times higher than the air quality standards.
The high concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 poses a serious health risk to workers and surrounding communities, as these ultra-fine particles can be easily inhaled, entering the lungs and bloodstream. This can lead to respiratory issues, heart problems, hormonal disruption, reproductive system disorders, and even trigger cancer.
Imported Plastic Waste
“From the piles of plastic waste waiting to be burned, you can find scattered food sachets of Nutella Biscuits labeled ‘distributed in France,’ drink wrappers marked ‘Made in Seoul, South Korea,’ packaging of processed fruits ‘Made in Italy,’ sachets of cat food labeled ‘Made in the USA,’ ‘Made in the UK’—these plastic wrappings are scraps of imported waste originating from developed countries,” said Daru Setyorini.
She further explained that developed countries are using Indonesia as a dumping ground for their waste under the guise of supporting the recycling industry in Indonesia. Daru outlined several reasons for this:
- Recycling industries cause pollution. The recycling process generates hazardous liquid waste.
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Recycling is no longer profitable in developed countries. Recycling is a high-cost industry due to its intensive water and energy consumption and strict environmental regulations. As a result, recycling industries in Europe, the U.S., and Australia have faced bankruptcy or collapse.
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Recycled plastic is not price competitive. The cost of recycled plastic pellets cannot compete with virgin plastic pellets. Government subsidies for the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries have made virgin plastic significantly cheaper than recycled plastic.
Based on ECOTON’s investigation into tofu production in Tropodo, the composition of fuels still being used includes: 40% imported plastic waste scrap, 20% rubber, shoe/sandal soles, sponge, and Styrofoam, 10% local multilayer plastic waste (sachets), 10% single-layer plastic, 10% coconut shells, 10% wood.
“In addition to cost considerations, tofu producers also take supply availability into account. The price of imported plastic scrap is around IDR 300,000 per pickup, which is more expensive than local plastic waste like sachets, rubber, or Styrofoam. However, despite the higher price, imported plastic scrap is still predominantly used due to its consistent availability,” said Alaika Rahmatullah.
Alaika, a researcher on imported plastic waste at ECOTON, further explained that the Tropodo tofu industry currently receives its supply of imported plastic scrap from Gedangrowo, Sidoarjo, and Beji, Pasuruan. “This plastic scrap waste comes from the paper recycling industry, which uses imported paper as raw material. These papers often contain a high amount of plastic impurities. As a result, the recycling process produces unwanted plastic scrap waste, which is discarded around industrial areas,” Alaika stated.
“Besides Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, and the Netherlands, countries like Japan, Spain, Canada, and New Zealand are also contributing to the flood of mixed paper waste into Indonesia,” said Daru Setyorini.
The ECOTON Director further emphasized that, according to data from the UN Comtrade Database, in 2024, Australia exported approximately 227,000 tons of mixed paper waste, the United States 183,000 tons, the United Kingdom 68,000 tons, and Italy 46,000 tons.
Mixed paper waste shipments, categorized under HS Code 470790, contain significantly higher levels of impurities or plastic contamination compared to other imported paper waste. Therefore, Indonesia must take firm action to ban the import of this type of mixed paper waste.
Recommendations
- Ban the Use of Imported Plastic Waste and Domestic Plastic Waste as Fuel for Tofu Production in Sidoarjo.
“Because plastic is made from petroleum and contains persistent and toxic additives, both recycling and burning it will release harmful toxins into the surrounding environment,” said Daru Setyorini. -
The government should provide subsidies for environmentally friendly energy sources and efficient stoves for Tropodo’s tofu producers.
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Stop the import of plastic and paper waste into Indonesia.
Indonesia has been washing and processing waste from developed countries—a form of environmental colonialism that must end immediately. The benefits gained by the recycling industry from imported waste do not outweigh the economic, social, and environmental burdens that Indonesia must bear due to the resulting pollution. As a sovereign nation, Indonesia must fulfill its plan to ban waste imports by 2025 and improve the domestic waste management system to eliminate dependence on imported waste for recycling industries. -
Optimize the use of local waste as raw material for the paper recycling industry instead of relying on imported waste.
According to waste statistics from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), Indonesia produces 73.2 million tons of waste per year, with paper waste comprising 12% (around 9 million tons) and plastic waste 20% (around 15 million tons). This volume of paper and plastic waste has the potential to support the domestic recycling industry without the need for imports. -
Hold waste-exporting countries accountable for the restoration of dioxin and microplastic contamination in Tropodo’s air.
“We demand that the exporting countries take responsibility for restoring the dioxin contamination and stop the waste colonialism. Exploiting another country as a dumping ground is irresponsible and unethical, especially when the receiving country has limited capacity to manage its domestic waste and still struggles with funding shortages, weak regulations, and low public awareness regarding waste management improvement. Every country must be responsible for managing its own waste and stop burdening other nations with its trash,” stated Aeshnina Azzahra, a young environmental activist from River Warrior.
Ecoton (Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation) is a foundation focused on the conservation of river ecosystems and wetlands in Indonesia. We conduct scientific research, environmental education, and awareness campaigns to improve water quality and protect biodiversity.
