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AFC Season 16 focused on the theme of “The Actualization of Sustainable Development Goals through Agricultural Innovation in the Society 5.0 Era.” The event aimed to encourage the younger generation to develop innovative business ideas in sustainable agriculture. The Bananabees team competed against various teams from leading Indonesian universities, including Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Sepuluh November Institute of Technology (ITS), Sebelas Maret University (UNS), Jenderal Soedirman University (UNSOED), and Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY).

In this competition, The Bananabees chose the subtheme Utilization of Agricultural Waste and Material with a focus on sustainable waste management. The idea they proposed was Mennapads, a biodegradable sanitary pad made from leftover banana stalks.

To ensure the product is entirely eco-friendly, Mennapads features a bioplastic start and finish layer that is 100% biodegradable. The packaging also uses bioplastic, making Mennapads a sustainable solution for both women’s health and environmental preservation.

Mennapads Product Specifications from The Bananabees Team
The product addresses two major issues. First, Mennapads aims to reduce plastic waste coming from conventional sanitary pads. Currently, around 95% of Indonesian women use sanitary pads during menstruation, contributing to approximately 26 tons of waste daily. With the introduction of Mennapads, the use of disposable plastic pads can be reduced, helping minimize environmental pollution.

Second, the product utilizes agricultural waste. Banana stalks are processed into a natural absorbent layer to replace synthetic materials in sanitary pads. “In banana cultivation, one tree produces only one bunch before being cut down. As a result, banana leaf waste continues to increase, with an estimated 640,000 stems produced annually. This waste is typically discarded. We see this often-overlooked resource as a valuable opportunity,” explained Salwa.

“Beyond reducing environmental harm, Mennapads also contributes to the circular economy by empowering local farmers and opening up new economic opportunities in agriculture,” added Kezia.

Throughout the competition, The Bananabees received guidance from Dr. Indrawan Cahyo Adilaksono, S.TP., M.Agr.Sc., a lecturer from the Agrotechnology and Bioproduct Technology Research Group at SLST ITB. Under his guidance, the team improved their business concept and product development to align with sustainable agricultural innovation standards.

The theme “Save Soil for a Brighter Future” closely aligns with The Bananabees’ vision. According to the team, sustainability in agriculture must be prioritized, as soil health and fertility are essential for long-term productivity. Soil degradation caused by pollution and harmful farming practices could jeopardize future food security and farmer welfare.

By using agricultural waste as an industrial raw material, as demonstrated with Mennapads, the team hopes to inspire more innovations that support environmental sustainability. In the future, The Bananabees plan to further develop Mennapads so that it can be mass-produced and serve as a real solution to plastic waste and women's health challenges.

Translator: Nafi'ah Rahni Nugrahanti (Civil Engineering Student, 2023).