One of the problems that Indonesian society still faces is waste. Of the 70 million tons of waste, as many percent is plastic waste. In Indonesia, plastic waste is still considered difficult to recycle. Plastic itself is still classified as the main need of Indonesian society so the use of plastic cannot just be stopped. Besides producing waste, the use of plastic also has other fatal impacts, such as disrupting the ecosystem. This ecosystem disturbance has an impact on humans, causing birth defects, hormonal imbalances and cancer.
In its use, plastic is very useful for people’s daily lives. Some of the uses of plastic can make it easier to carry goods, protect goods from weather such as rain, and package food. Apart from these advantages, there are also many disadvantages to use plastic, namely the accumulation of plastic waste to the point where it cannot be handled. Thus, new innovations are needed to minimize excessive use of plastic.
The PKM-K Team from Brawijaya University (UB) with members Apsarini Lana Imani Kurnianta, Ayma Khansa Rafifa, Faiqotul Ilmiyyah, Hanifah Nur Aini, and Suci Ramadhan Setiawan under the guidance of Inggit Kresna Maharsih, S.T., M.Sc is here to create a renewable innovation in addressing the ecosystem problem in the form of plastic waste still needs to be resolved. This innovation is in the form of a biodegradable paper bag which we named MISBAG. The MISBAG that we are offering is a biodegradable paper bag that replaces conventional paper bags which is environmentally friendly. The main raw material is mushrooms, the paper bags offered are easily degraded so that if they are thrown, they will not damage the ecosystem or cause ecosystem disturbances.
Some of the advantages of this product are that it comes from renewable materials, is affordable, easily degraded, and is water resistant so that this innovation is able to minimize the role of the use of conventional plastic. With this innovation, it is hoped that it will be able to increase public awareness in reducing the use of paper bags. This innovation can be a source of inspiration for entrepreneurs who want to contribute to environmental solutions while running a sustainable business. Thus, this product is not only a practical solution, but also a means to inspire positive change for society and the business world. [pkmk/twb/rs/ UB PR/ Trans. Iir]
