Microplastics—tiny plastic fragments less than five millimeters in size—are found in water, air, and food, and can enter the bodies of humans and animals through inhalation or consumption. These particles come from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as bottles and packaging, and are increasingly recognized as a global environmental and health concern. In Indonesia, the issue is particularly severe. According to a 2024 study by Cornell University, cited by the New York Times on September 7, 2026, Indonesians ingest and breathe an average of 15 grams of microplastics each month—equivalent to the weight of three credit cards. This places Indonesia at the top of a troubling global ranking for microplastic ingestion per capita, with other Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia and the Philippines also among the highest. Indonesia, the largest country in Southeast Asia and home to over 285 million people, faces significant environmental challenges. Deforestation and destructive mining practices have long been major concerns, and plastic pollution is now a growing crisis. As one of the world's largest contributors to ocean plastic waste, Indonesia is grappling with the consequences of microplastics becoming a critical public health issue. The country's environmental problems are exacerbated by poor waste management practices and a lack of infrastructure to handle the volume of plastic waste generated daily. A major factor contributing to Indonesia's microplastic crisis is the way waste is managed. Nearly 57% of households burn their garbage illegally, compared to just 14% globally. This practice releases a large number of microplastic particles into the air, which are then inhaled by people. Outside of major cities, waste collection services are limited, and recycling is not common. Everyday life in Indonesia also heavily relies on single-use plastics, such as sachets, bottles, and capsules, which contribute to massive waste accumulation. Without modern sewage systems capable of filtering out microplastics, much of the waste ends up in rivers, streams, and gutters, further polluting the environment. The impact of microplastics is evident in the food chain, as Indonesian fishermen have reported catching fish like rays and eels that contain microplastics. This means that the population is exposed to these particles through their diet. Despite these challenges, the Indonesian government's response has been described as limited. While there are plans to ban open dumps by 2027 and reduce marine plastic waste by 70%, progress has been slow. A new national action plan is expected to be launched by the end of 2026, but the current measures remain insufficient to address the scale of the problem.