Jakarta, INTI – The issue of single-use plastic waste is becoming increasingly alarming amid the surge in online shopping activities across Indonesia. Bubble wrap, often used as protective packaging, is one of the major contributors to non-biodegradable waste. Addressing this challenge, three students from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at Universitas Airlangga (Unair) Surabaya came up with an innovative solution. Through their eco-friendly product called CornCycle, they introduced an alternative bubble wrap made from waste paper and corn that had failed to harvest. This creative idea led the team, named Smart Squad, to win First Place in the Business Plan Competition at the Young Entrepreneur Week (YEW) 2025, held on Friday, October 3, 2025, in Surabaya.
CornCycle: An Innovation from Waste for Sustainability
CornCycle is designed as a reusable eco-protection material that can be used three to five times depending on consumer preference. Another advantage is that the product is biodegradable, leaving no pollution or microplastics once discarded. “CornCycle was born out of concern over the increasing use of bubble wrap in the e-commerce era. We want to offer a solution that is not only functionally useful but also contributes to environmental sustainability,” explained Ellena Sasmita Prananta, leader of the Smart Squad team.
The Competition Journey and Team Challenges
On their road to victory, the team faced challenges due to limited resources in producing a prototype that matched the mock-up design. Nevertheless, they managed to achieve the highest score thanks to their well-prepared presentation strategy. Their presentation was considered comprehensive, covering problem identification, opportunity analysis, marketing strategy, competitor analysis, as well as sustainability and financial projections supported by clear data.
Inspiration and Renewed Motivation
Beyond the victory, the competition experience also provided the students with valuable insights. Ellena noted that the judges shared important feedback for further development so the idea could be applied on a larger scale. “Participating in this entire series of events inspired us to keep developing business ideas that are not only profit-oriented but also have a positive impact on the environment,” she added.
Conclusion
The success of Unair students with CornCycle demonstrates how youth creativity can generate innovations that support the green economy while addressing plastic waste issues. With the spirit of sustainable entrepreneurship, solutions like this have the potential to become concrete steps toward a more eco-friendly business future.
Read More:Indonesia Builds the World’s First Geothermal-Based Green Hydrogen Plant