Microplastics in the Indonesian small screen-printing industries: Environment and human possible risks

One of Indonesia’s most rapidly growing industries today is the textile industry, including the screen printing industry. The screen printing industry is transferring a stenciled design into a flat surface using a mesh screen and ink. SME plays an important role in the screen printing industry and contributes a significant GDP. Based on the Ministry of Industry, about 118 SME’s printing industry in Indonesia in 2021. It was found that SMEs can produce about 7.000 pcs of sablons in a month, which provides important economic value to the local community. However, the industry’s production process also negatively impacts the environment and human health. The waste from the industry is highly contaminated by microplastic, which is dangerous for humans and the environment. This research aims to identify the microplastic impact of the SME printing industry in Indonesia by using Life Cycle Assessment Analysis. The analysis showed that the screen printing phase has the highest environmental impact, which is contributed by the carcinogenic effect created by the microplastic. The contribution value of the carcinogens effect is 0.029 kg C2H3Cl-eq per pcs. There is adequate evidence that these carcinogens can cause cancer in humans; thus, some alternative green material substitutions are proposed in this research.