Since his university days, Mohammad Alaika Rahmatullah, better known as Alex, has been active in the movement to reduce plastic waste pollution. At that time, he was a researcher and founder of the Environmental Green Society, a community of young researchers who conducted studies on micro-plastic contamination in the Brantas River in East Java.
His background as a young researcher led Alex to focus on campaigning and advocacy, particularly in driving campaigns to push for regulations on limiting single-use plastics. Through his work, Alex is pushing for strong regulations to serve as a foundation for saving rivers from microplastic pollution. He also hopes that Indonesia will have Microplastic Quality Standards as a scientific reference
Alex says that microplastics are dangerous to humans, causing hormonal and nervous system disorders and even increasing the risk of cancer. Unfortunately, many river biota such as fish and shrimp accidentally consume microplastics, which ultimately end up as human food. Currently, Alex serves as the Advocacy Division Manager at Ecoton, a foundation that focuses on saving and protecting the Brantas River from pollution.
