Kalisari, Blado – Climate change is an urgent global issue, and awareness to fight it needs to be instilled from an early age. With this spirit, students participating in the 12th Community Service Program (KKN) of Semarang State University (UNNES) in Kalisari Village, Blado District, Batang Regency, held an educational and creative activity at Kalisari Elementary School. They invited 5th grade students to create ecoprint tote bags, an environmentally friendly innovation that highlights the importance of caring for the earth.
The activity, which took place on Saturday, August 9, 2025, was part of the KKN program focused on environmental sustainability. Instead of merely theorizing about the dangers of plastic and global warming, the KKN students encouraged the pupils to take action in a fun way. The ecoprint method was chosen because it is a natural dyeing technique that utilizes the beauty of the surrounding nature.
“We want to show that an environmentally friendly lifestyle is not difficult and can even be very exciting,” said Fika, one of the KKN Giat 12 students. “With ecoprinting, children learn that leaves in the school yard or garden can produce beautiful works of art. These tote bags are not just ordinary bags, but also a symbol of their commitment to reducing plastic waste.”
Enthusiasm was clearly evident on the faces of dozens of participating students. With guidance from university students, they learned to identify leaves and flowers suitable for printing. Tea leaves, fern leaves, and various types of local flowers became their natural “brushes.” The process was interactive; starting from arranging the leaves on a tote bag, covering them with plastic, then hitting them repeatedly with a small hammer until the color of the leaves transferred to the fabric. The sound of hammers and the laughter of students filled the room, creating a joyful learning atmosphere.
The principal of SDN Kalisari, Mrs. Sriyanah, and all the teachers welcomed this activity and appreciated the innovation brought by the KKN students. “This training is a concrete example of how education can be linked to real-life issues. The children not only gain skills but also a deep understanding of the importance of preserving nature. We hope this spirit does not stop here but continues to become a good habit,” she said.
Through this program, KKN Giat 12 UNNES not only left behind tote bags with unique designs, but also planted the seeds of environmental awareness that will hopefully grow into sustainable good habits. This small action by the little hands of SDN Kalisari students is a big first step in creating a generation that is more caring and responsible for the future of the earth.
