InfoSAWIT, MEDAN – Amidst growing awareness about the dangers of single-use plastic, a group of students from Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) is offering a creative solution through a sustainable innovation called BIOFLAEIS—an eco-friendly food packaging made from waste palm fronds and papaya leaves.

This innovation was created by USU Chemical Engineering and Development Economics students through the Student Creativity Program – Entrepreneurship (PKM-K). “BIOFLAEIS is not just a product, but a moral movement that invites the community to care about the environment,” said Shintia Florensia Silaban, as reported by InfoSAWIT from USU on Tuesday (14/10/2025).

She explained that palm frond waste and papaya leaves were chosen because they are easily obtainable and highly beneficial. Palm fronds contain cellulose and hemicellulose suitable for biofoam material, while papaya leaves contain antibacterial compounds that can maintain food freshness. The product offers two key advantages: it is biodegradable (easily decomposed in nature) and functional for preserving food quality. This makes BIOFLAEIS a tangible alternative to styrofoam packaging, which is difficult to decompose and potentially harmful to health.

Moving forward, the BIOFLAEIS team plans to expand production by involving more local partners and palm oil farmers, aiming to give higher economic value to agricultural waste. (T2)