The Cool Down
Expert shares video of 'horrific' sighting along riverbank: 'It just makes me w…
One viral video shows the frustrating consequences of what happens when Styrofoam gets into a river.
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Micro-Styrofoam Menace: Indonesia's Rivers Face Unprecedented Pollution Challenge
Environmental Crisis Unfolds as Micro-Styrofoam Pollutes Indonesian Rivers Indonesia's vital river systems are facing an escalating environmental crisis, as tiny styrofoam balls, the disintegrated remnants of larger styrofoam waste, prove nearly impossible to remove. Sam Bencheghib, co-founder of the environmental organization Sungai Watch, recently highlighted the alarming prevalence of these microplastics in local waterways. "This might look like moss on a piece of tree, but actually, what this is, is styrofoam balls that have all broken down," Bencheghib explained, holding up a piece of debris covered in white spheres. He further elaborated on the scale of the problem, stating, "This is literally impossible to collect unless you have a sort of sieve or a filter. But there's hundreds of thousands of them in this river, and we're not going to be able to clean them up." The lightweight and minuscule nature of these styrofoam particles allows them to bypass traditional trash barriers and filters, making comprehensive cleanup efforts incredibly challenging. Environmental experts warn that these microplastics do not biodegrade, persist in the environment for centuries, and are often mistaken for food by aquatic life, leading to internal injuries and starvation. Furthermore, styrofoam contains toxic chemicals that can leach into the water, posing risks to both ecosystems and human health. Sungai Watch, known for its dedicated efforts in installing trash barriers and organizing river cleanups, advocates for a fundamental shift in consumer and industry practices. Bencheghib concluded with a stark warning and a clear solution: "So solution, don't use styrofoam. And don't throw styrofoam in rivers because it disintegrates into these tiny little balls that we can't do anything about." The organization urges a global reconsideration of styrofoam use to prevent further irreversible damage to global water bodies.
