UNS — The Student Community Service Program (KKN) of the Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta during the Covid-19 pandemic does not dampen students’ enthusiasm in sharing their knowledge. A program organized by KKN UNS Team 97 in Duwet, Andong Sub-District, Boyolali, introduces vertical garden creation using plastic bottle waste as a planting medium alternative. The leader of the team, Ahmad Karim explains that vertical garden is chosen because plastic bottle waste has become a serious unsolved problem until now.
“The tools and ingredients needed are the wooden frames, bottle waste, scissors, plant seeds, brush, paint, and organic fertilizers. We also practice how to create vertical gardens together with Family Empowerment and Welfare (PKK) members, after the material presentation,” Ahmad explains on Friday (12/3/2021).
The participants were told that a vertical garden can be made using other materials aside from plastic bottles. The plastic bottle wastes are chosen because of the buildup of plastic waste in residents’ houses. “Vertical garden program is organized as a form of concern toward plastic bottle waste. The waste was transformed into something useful. The program was conducted gradually at one of the Duwet neighborhood leader’s houses. The program consists of two sections namely vertical garden dissemination and socialization on how to wash hand correctly and properly,” Ahmad added. The programs were welcomed by the PKK members.
Socialization is expected to improve the community’s awareness of the importance of washing their hand properly. A positive response is shown through the enthusiasm in vertical garden creation. Ahmad hopes this program can educate the community on how to utilize plastic waste in Duwet, through a creative solution.
Another program from the KKN Team 97 is the tie-dye masks training with the children in Duwet hamlet. This program also receives positive responses from the children. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
