Eco-Printing Innovation : An Environmentally Friendly Alternative To Plastic Bags
This is a Response to the Bagaimana cara kamu mengurangi sampah plastik untuk kelestarian bumi kita? wikithon
The problem of plastic waste has become a pressing global issue. Every year, millions of tons of plastic pollute the environment and take hundreds of years to decompose. One of the most common forms of single-use plastic is plastic bags.
Quoted from citarumharum.jabarprov.go.id, data Making Oceans Plastic Free (in 2017) states that on average there are 182.7 billion plastic bags used in Indonesia every year. Out of this, the total weight of plastic bag waste in Indonesia reaches 1,278,900 tons per year. Therefore, the need for environmentally friendly alternative solutions is urgent. One of the environmentally friendly alternatives to this is the use of eco-printing.
When I was in ninth grade, my friends and I were assigned to a cultural arts group based on graphic arts material. One of the techniques they learned was screen printing. In order to practice this technique while supporting the movement to reduce the use of plastic bags, our teacher invited us to make tote bags using eco-printing. Eco-printing is a natural dyeing technique using leaves, flowers, and plants to create unique motifs on fabrics. These eco-printed tote bags have become a viable alternative to plastic bags because of their reusability and environmental friendliness. At the end of its useful life, the tote bag can be decomposed naturally without leaving any harmful chemicals. On the day of practice, we brought three plain white tote bags and a hammer as a printing tool. For the motif, we gathered leaves and flowers from around the school. After carving it on the cloth, we beat it with a hammer for 15 minutes until the pattern formed. Then the tote bag is soaked in alum water's for 25 minutes to make the color last longer. Afterward, we put it in a shade to keep its color from fading. In the end, our tote bags look beautiful, unique, and eco-friendly. In addition to adding to the creative experience, this activity also taught us the importance of taking care of the environment by reducing the use of single-use plastics.
Overall, eco-printing is a creative innovation that is environmentally friendly and can replace plastic bags in everyday life. In addition to helping reduce plastic waste, these products can support local economies and encourage sustainable consumption patterns. With public awareness and support from all parties, eco-printing has the potential to be a long-term solution to environmental problems. Let's switch to eco-friendly products and help preserve the earth!- Affiliation
- SMAN 3 Banjarmasin
- Age
- Under 16
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