UNSRI Presents Innovations in Environmental Protection and Child Nutrition at the PKK in Sungai Selayur

A community service initiative organized by faculty members and students from the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Sriwijaya University (UNSRI), successfully captured the attention of residents in the Sungai Selayur neighborhood, Kalidoni Subdistrict, on November 12, 2025. Held at Rumah Cinta Dahlia, the event featured two flagship programs offering tangible solutions to environmental issues and early childhood health problems. The UNSRI academics were enthusiastically welcomed by the 45 PKK mothers in attendance. 

The first program presented was titled “Outreach and Training on Making Biopack from Used Paper Pulp and Dry Leaves for Egg Containers,” led by team leader Ir. Rahmatullah, S.T., M.T. This program focused on processing used paper and dry leaves into eco-friendly, durable biopacks that serve a practical purpose for household needs, particularly as egg cartons. This training also addresses the problem of accumulated paper waste and dry leaves, which has long been a source of complaint among PKK members in the community. By utilizing readily available waste materials, PKK members were encouraged to see new opportunities in turning waste into products with economic value.

Meanwhile, the second program, titled “Making Healthy Fruity-Veggie Gummies from Dragon Fruit and Spinach to Prevent Stunting in Young Children,” was led by Ir. Rizka Wulandari Putri, S.T., M.T. This program was designed as a creative solution to address young children’s low interest in eating vegetables. Through a demonstration of making healthy gummies made from dragon fruit and spinach, participants gained an understanding of the importance of early nutrition in preventing stunting. This product is not only healthy but also appealing to children due to its appetizing natural texture and color.

This community service activity was further enhanced by the presence of key figures from the UNSRI Faculty of Engineering: Professor of Chemical Engineering Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Haryati, DEA, and Associate Dean III of the Faculty of Engineering Dr. Ir. David Bahrin, S.T., M.T. Both delivered opening remarks and expressed their full support for the community service program, which they deemed relevant and capable of having a tangible impact on the community. In addition, 12 students and 8 faculty members were present to assist with the activities, ranging from delivering instructional materials and providing practical guidance to evaluating the results.

The training session was highly interactive. The PKK women were enthusiastic about asking questions regarding how to modify the biopack, the safety of the gummy ingredients, and the home-based business opportunities that could be developed from these two products. Many participants reported gaining new knowledge and feeling more motivated to apply the material presented, both at home and within their local communities.

The PKK Chairwoman, Mrs. Kastini, expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the UNSRI team’s participation. According to her, these two programs provide added value to the Rumah Cinta Dahlia PKK, especially since the solutions offered truly align with the residents’ needs. “This activity is very beneficial, both for reducing household waste and improving our children’s health. We hope that training like this can be held again in the future,” she said.