EduAsiaNews, Surakarta — Students from Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, participating in the 2026 Thematic Community Service Program (KKN-T) Group 121, have initiated a program to utilize used water gallons as media for hydroponic cultivation for the PKK group in Papringan Village, Kaliwungu District, Semarang Regency. This innovation offers an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for producing healthy food.
The outreach program, held in February 2026, was attended by local PKK members. The activity was presented by Faiza, representing the UNS students, under the guidance of Field Supervising Lecturer (DPL), Prof. Dr. Ir. Samanhudi, S.P., M.Si, IPU, ASEAN Eng., APEC Eng. The program was conducted interactively through presentations, hands-on practice, and discussion sessions.
Hydroponics is a method of cultivating plants without soil, instead using water to supply nutrients. Growing media can include rockwool, cocopeat, gravel, stones, or rice husk charcoal. Leafy vegetables grown hydroponically can be harvested relatively quickly, yielding fresh and crisp leaves. This technique is suitable for areas with limited space or restricted water supply.
The simplest hydroponic method is the wick system, which relies on capillary action to draw nutrients from a reservoir to the plant roots, allowing the roots to absorb them efficiently. The wick system can utilize recycled materials such as water gallons with holes, cut mineral water cups, or box-shaped plastic containers.
In this program, the students used recycled mineral water gallons as the hydroponic medium. This method is considered practical, cost-efficient, and easy to implement in limited spaces, including home gardens. “Using recycled gallons not only supports efficient cultivation but also aligns with efforts to reduce household plastic waste,” Faiza explained to uns.ac.id on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
The cultivation process involves preparing the medium by drilling holes in the recycled gallon, painting it, and filling it with nutrient solution using AB Mix fertilizer at a ratio of 8 liters of water with 56 ml of concentrate A and 56 ml of concentrate B. Each gallon has six holes, with one plant per hole. Leafy vegetables grow optimally at pH 6–7, nutrient concentration of 1200–1400 ppm, and exposure to direct sunlight.
One participant, Sri Widarti, expressed that the program provided new insights for the PKK members. “This activity gave me new knowledge and is worth cultivating. Besides providing healthy food, it also helps reduce plastic waste,” she said.
Through this program, the community is encouraged to adopt more environmentally friendly and sustainable farming practices. Hydroponic cultivation has the potential to minimize the use of synthetic pesticides and reduce household expenses by providing self-sufficient food sources.
The initiative is expected to serve as a starting point for a sustainable agricultural system that increases productivity while preserving the environment. Using recycled gallons as hydroponic media demonstrates that simple innovations can have a meaningful impact on the welfare of rural communities.
This program contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being, by providing a source of fresh vegetables for healthy consumption.
