ONTOLOGI POLUSI DAN KRISIS LINGKUNGAN: KRITIK FILOSOFIS ATAS PRAKTIK IMPOR SAMPAH KE INDONESIA (KASUS JAWA TIMUR)

Abstract

This study examines the practice of plastic waste importation into Indonesia, particularly in East Java, through the lens of pollution ontology and philosophical critique of the modern environmental crisis. Using a qualitative philosophical approach and critical analysis methods, the research investigates the nature of pollution as a phenomenon that is not only technical and ecological but also encompasses complex existential, moral, and political dimensions. Data were gathered from scientific literature, relevant regulations, media reports, and local case studies on the plastic recycling industry in the Brantas River watershed. The findings indicate that waste import practices represent a form of global inequality, demonstrating the dominance of developed nations' industries over developing countries. Imported plastic waste results in serious ecological impacts, including soil, water, and air pollution, as well as health consequences for local communities, such as respiratory infections, skin diseases, diarrhea, and long-term cancer risks. Socio-economically, the economic benefits gained by the industry are not proportionate to the ecological damage and public health costs borne by the community. Ontological analysis reveals that pollution is not merely material contaminating the environment but a manifestation of the imbalanced relationship between humans, technology, global capitalism, and the environment. Weak implementation of waste import regulations in Indonesia further exacerbates this ecological injustice. This research emphasizes the importance of a philosophical approach to understanding pollution and the need for policy reforms that prioritize moral responsibility and ecological justice as core principles.