Tim PKM-K Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) has launched an innovative business product under the brand name “Efree Crayons.” This brand represents “Environmentally Friendly,” a business concept aimed at supporting environmental sustainability through the use of safe and eco-friendly materials.
Guided by M. Faris Al Hakim S.Pd., M.Cs., and led by M. Akiyasul Azkiya (Information Systems/FMIPA), the team includes Muhammad Mahfud Muzadi (Chemical Engineering/FT), Mohammad Khollaqul Alim (Economic Development/FEB), Eka Diyanti (Chemical Engineering/FT), and Siti Atikah (Public Health/FK).
This UNNES PKM-K team is one of 52 PKM teams that have received funding from the Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs (Belmawa) UNNES. They have a vision to create unique crayons using underutilized materials that, as it turns out, have extraordinary properties.
Efree Crayons are made from powdered eggshell and white chocolate as the base, with the addition of natural dyes and food-grade ingredients to provide color.
According to the research by Liu et al (2023), eggshells contain 95% calcium carbonate (CaCO3), 3% phosphorus (P), and 3% other elements such as magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and potassium (K).
Currently, commonly used crayons are synthetic products made from wax and dyes. Unfortunately, some hazardous crayon products have been found in independent laboratory tests by the United States Public Interest Research Group Education Fund. One Playskool crayon even contained a small amount of tremolite, a form of asbestos.
The “Efree Crayons” product is unique in shape, color, and taste. In addition to serving as a coloring tool, these crayons are safe for consumption. “Efree Crayons” offers an eco-friendly, unique, and innovative product made from natural materials.
The product has been tested in the UNNES Chemistry Laboratory, and one crayon contains approximately 28.5% calcium, 41.7% protein, and other components make up the remaining 29.8%.
The raw material derived from eggshell waste has high calcium content, making it healthy, convenient, and highly nutritious. Moreover, using eggshell waste helps reduce waste and production costs, allowing the product to be sold at an affordable price.
This product is priced at Rp27,000 per box, which includes 12 crayons in various colors, a crayon grip, a crayon sharpener, and drawing paper. So far, the PKM-K team has marketed their product through partnerships with stationery stores, social media, e-commerce platforms, bazaars, and word of mouth.
Akiyas, as the team leader, emphasizes several advantages of this product, including safety for children and the environment, edibility, easy erasability of the crayons, and nutritional content.
Akiyas hopes that “Efree Crayons” can be widely recognized by the public and continue to grow in the future. He envisions this product as a sustainable business even after the PKM program has concluded.
