RECOPONIC: Trash to Fresh

About the Project

RECOPONIC: Trash to Fresh is an integrated sustainable smart planting system developed to address household waste, low recycling awareness and limited student exposure to affordable green agricultural technology. The innovation combines four main components: ReGrow Peat 2.0, EcoPot 3R 2.0, BioCal Fertilizer and AutoMoist Ponic. Household waste such as egg cartons, eggshells, coffee waste and plastic bottles is transformed into planting media, self-watering pots and organic fertilizer, while a soil-moisture sensor controls automated irrigation. Testing showed that seedlings grown using ReGrow Peat 2.0 achieved an average height of 7.5 cm and a 95% germination rate, compared with 3.2 cm and 70% using ordinary soil. The AutoMoist Ponic system also demonstrated automatic pump activation based on moisture readings. With an estimated production cost of only RM15 per set and approximately 80% of the materials sourced from recycled items, RECOPONIC offers a practical, low-cost and environmentally friendly solution that promotes recycling, water-efficient planting and hands-on STEM learning. The innovation also supports SDG 12 and SDG 13 through responsible consumption, waste reduction and climate-conscious education.