Unique Innovation by UNESA FBS Students: Creating Edible Cutlery
unesa.ac.id SURABAYA—Banana stems and tofu dregs have not been widely utilized as raw materials for food processing. A team of students from the Student Creativity Program in the Entrepreneurship scheme (PKM-K) from the Faculty of Language and Arts (FBS) at UNESA has transformed these two materials into tableware products that can be eaten and naturally recycled.
The product they developed is named ECOBITES Tableware. "We made this product from banana stem flour and tofu dregs flour, which are abundant in the Sidoarjo area," said Aisyah Al Khumaira, the leader of the PKM FBS UNESA team.
She added that their innovation aims to give tofu dregs economic value. As is known, tofu dregs contain high amounts of protein and carbohydrates.
On the other hand, using tableware that can be eaten and recycled can minimize the use of plastic that potentially damages the environment.
"Starting from that concern, we made edible spoons. Since similar products are commonly found, we innovated by using banana stem flour and tofu dregs as raw materials," she explained.
Tri Edliani Lestari, the supervising lecturer of the ECOBITES PKM team, stated that the ECOBITES idea is highly promising in terms of entrepreneurship. Especially with the issue of the climate crisis, this idea is certainly very beneficial for the future.
"Even though some people are less aware, I admire the ECOBITES team for moving quickly, adaptively, and boldly. The ECOBITES product also has a clear and noble vision and mission," she explained.
ECOBITES provides a set of tableware ranging from spoons, forks, plates, to bowls. The product also has a vision to educate the community through Quote Cards available in three languages: English, German, and Indonesian. These cards are hoped to attract customers' interest and encourage the learning of foreign languages.
In terms of legality, laboratory testing, and halal certification, ECOBITES has undergone laboratory testing at the Regional Laboratory of the East Java Provincial Health Office and has passed the Proximate Test.
The product has also secured seven Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), covering everything from brand logos to advertising videos. Regarding the product's halal status, ECOBITES has been assisted by the Halal Product Companion (PPH) in Sidoarjo and has obtained the necessary certification. Business legality is ensured by possessing a Business Identification Number (NIB).
Tri Edliani Lestari added that the product received funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology with the title "ECOBITES (Edible Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Tableware Banana Stem & Tofu Dregs)."
The ECOBITES team became the first PKM-K team from FBS UNESA to receive central funding. Tri Edliani hopes that the ECOBITES product can capitalize on its selling value, especially to combat plastic usage. Awareness related to the product must be increased to better understand its main purpose.
Currently, ECOBITES products have been marketed to regions outside Java, such as West Sumatra, Kalimantan, Southeast Sulawesi, and East Nusa Tenggara. To make ECOBITES widely known by the public and provide benefits not only to the environment but also to health, economy, and education, Aisyah is determined to partner with others in the future.
The ECOBITES team consists of Aisyah Al Khumaira as the team leader, and members Nazilatul Alfi Nuri, Sabrina Mutiara Sari, Putri Wulan Septiani, and Muhammad Azhar Adi Mas'ud.
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Reporter: Muhammad Azhar Adi Mas'ud
Editor: @zam
Photo: PKM-K FBS UNESA team
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