MAKASSAR – Forest waste is often seen as leftover material that has not been put to good use. Yet with simple, research-based technology, this material can be turned into value-added products that open up new business opportunities while supporting the sustainable use of forest resources.
One such innovation is colored laminated bamboo, a technology that combines lamination with synthetic dyeing to produce items of higher visual quality and economic value. Besides enhancing aesthetic value, the technology also broadens the potential of bamboo as a raw material for handicrafts and other creative products.
Through the Campus Intellectual Product Business Development Program, lecturers from the Forestry Engineering Study Program of the Faculty of Forestry at Hasanuddin University (Unhas) introduced the innovation to communities around the Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) Education Forest of the Unhas Faculty of Forestry. The program is funded by the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of Unhas under the 2026 Unhas Community Service Program Scheme.
During the activity, community members were taught how to turn waste available around the forest area into products with economic value. Participants not only gained an understanding of the concept of processing laminated bamboo but also practiced it hands-on. Their enthusiasm remained high throughout the training, reflecting strong community interest in developing skills that could become a new source of income.
The activity’s chair, Prof. Dr. Ir. Andi Detti Yunianti, M.P., explained that laminated bamboo is a product with economic potential. With focused and systematic development, Prof. Andi Detti said, communities have the opportunity to earn additional income and improve their local economy.
“I hope the communities around the Education Forest KHDTK can work with the Unhas Faculty of Forestry to prepare the raw materials for making handicrafts from laminated bamboo,” said Prof. Andi Detti Yunianti.
By strengthening research-based innovation and community empowerment, the activity also supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, the program contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by developing business opportunities based on local resources.
The program also supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by bringing university innovations to market, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by turning waste into value-added products, and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through the sustainable use of forest resources.
The community service activity, themed Colored Laminated Bamboo, was organized by lecturers of the Forestry Engineering Study Program of the Unhas Faculty of Forestry through the Campus Intellectual Product Business Development Program at the KHDTK Education Forest of the Unhas Faculty of Forestry in Maros Regency on Saturday (25 July 2026). (*/fhut/dhs)
Editor: Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.