UNAIR NEWS – The problem of non-biodegradable disposable diapers remains a serious challenge in many rural areas. This waste, often disposed of improperly, not only pollutes the soil and water but also carries the potential to spread harmful bacteria. Driven by these concerns, UNAIR’s 8th Learning with Community (BBK) Team, based in Caruban Village, initiated an innovative program titled RePot (Recycle Diapers into Pots). The event, held in the courtyard of the Caruban Village Hall on Friday (July 24, 2026), targeted local PKK (Family Welfare Movement) members as the frontline of household waste management.
Fani, the program coordinator, explained that the initiative was designed to provide a tangible solution. “Caruban Village generates a significant volume of diaper waste, much of which is still carelessly discarded. We wanted to offer a program that goes beyond education, one that includes hands-on training so mothers can turn this waste into useful products,” she said. She added that these skills are expected to open up opportunities for eco-friendly home-based businesses.
Enthusiasm and program sustainability
The interactive session ran from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. local time. It began with registration and opening remarks from the head of PKK, followed by an educational session on the dangers of diaper waste and a simulation of making the cement mixture used for the pots. Participants were then divided into four groups. Fara, another program coordinator, led the hands-on pot-making session, assisted by BBK students. “We were truly impressed by their enthusiasm. They dove straight into practicing the recycling process themselves,” Fara said.
The RePot program successfully produced plant pots from diaper waste while raising participants’ awareness of the negative impacts of diaper waste on health and the environment. Fani noted that the program aligns with SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being, and SDG 4, Quality Education. “Sustainability is our main focus for this program. We hope these skills can grow into a signature product for Caruban Village,” she said. With 43 participants in attendance, Fara is optimistic that public awareness of waste management will continue to grow, helping recycling become a new habit in Caruban Village. Looking ahead, UNAIR’s 8th BBK Team hopes the RePot innovation can continue to be developed and replicated by the community as a simple, low-cost, and sustainable solution for reducing environmental pollution caused by disposable diaper waste.
Author: STEFANI PUTRI MARSHANDA
