DLH Jakarta coordinates with BRIN on findings of microplastics in rainwater

Jakarta – The DKI Jakarta Environmental Service (DLH) opened its voice on the results of research by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) that found microplastic content in rainwater in the capital area. Head of the DKI Jakarta Environmental Service (DLH), Asep Kuswanto, assessed that these findings are a reminder that plastic pollution has reached the atmosphere and requires concerted efforts across sectors. “We consider BRIN’s findings as an environmental alarm that must be responded to quickly and together. Plastic pollution is now not just a matter of the sea or rivers, but has reached the air of Jakarta,” Asep said in a statement on Saturday (18/10/2025). SCROLL TO CONTINUE CONTENT Asep said that his party is working to strengthen the plastic waste control program from upstream to downstream. Including integrated monitoring of air and rainwater quality. According to him, the DKI Provincial Government has so far implemented a number of policies to reduce the generation of single-use plastic waste, including through Governor’s Regulation Number 142 of 2019 on the obligation to use environmentally friendly shopping bags, as well as the expansion of the Jakstrada waste program which targets a 30 percent reduction in waste from the source. Apart from that, Jakarta also continues to expand waste banks, TPS 3R and community-based recycling initiatives so that plastic waste no longer ends up in the open environment. “Efforts to reduce plastic must be made from the source – from households, industry to the service sector. Everyone has a role,” he said. Asep further said that DKI DLH is currently coordinating with BRIN to expand the monitoring of microplastics in air and rainwater as part of the Jakarta Environmental Data Integration (JEDI) system, a data-based environmental quality monitoring platform. It is hoped that the results of these measurements can become the basis for stronger policies to control plastic pollution in the air. Apart from that, the DKI Provincial Government will strengthen a public campaign titled Jakarta Without Plastic in Heaven and Earth to encourage the public to reduce the use of single-use plastics, sort waste and not burn waste carelessly. The DKI Provincial Government then invites the business world, research institutions and the environmental community to strengthen joint concrete actions to reduce plastic and renew recycling. “We are open to collaboration on research, filtration technology and development of environmentally friendly products. Efforts to keep the air clean of microplastics is a shared responsibility,” he explained. Meanwhile, the Special Staff Coordinator for the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Firdaus Ali, emphasized that the DKI Provincial Government is responding to various research results that emphasize environmental quality, including water, air and soil. According to him, local governments are actively controlling the use of low-quality plastics that are generally produced from a simple recycling process. This type of plastic is widely used by people, from traditional markets, food stalls, to street vendors. “This type of plastic is easy to decompose, which at first glance seems good for the environment. However, it actually contributes greatly to the increase of microplastics in nature,” said Firdaus. Previously, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) revealed that rainwater in Jakarta contains dangerous microplastic particles originating from human activities in urban areas. It was revealed based on research findings that are a warning that plastic pollution is now not only polluting the land and sea, but also the atmosphere. BRIN researcher Muhammad Reza Cordova explained that research conducted since 2022 shows the presence of microplastics in every rainwater sample in the capital. These microscopic plastic particles are formed from the degradation of plastic waste floating in the air due to human activities. “These microplastics come from synthetic clothing fibers, vehicle and tire dust, remnants of burning plastic waste, as well as plastic degradation in open spaces,” explains Reza, quoted on the BRIN website, Saturday (18/10). Also watch the video: BRIN researchers reveal that Jakarta’s rainwater is contaminated with microplastics (bell/deck)