MOHITHAMYTHILI A/P SITHAMBARAM PILLAY Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah
The growing use of disposable plastic, paper, and polystyrene cups has raised serious environmental concerns due to their non-biodegradable nature and their contribution to landfill and ocean pollution. An exploratory survey in Klang Valley revealed that the main causes of this issue are the lack of sustainable alternatives and public indifference toward environmental impact. To address this, the Eco Chai Cup was developed as a biodegradable solution made from agricultural waste, including coconut fibre, recycled tea leaves, rice starch paste, and food-safe wax—the project aimed to ideate and produce an eco-friendly, user-oriented cup while promoting sustainable consumer habits. Guided by the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation), the process ensured a systematic and effective approach. Supporting SDG 9, SDG 12, and SDG 13, the innovation emphasises green technology and responsible production. The cups were manually moulded and baked, tested for durability, usability, and biodegradability. Findings confirmed that they are strong, decompose naturally, and can be repurposed as plant pots. With production costs ranging from RM10.72 (medium size) to RM 14.36 (large size), Eco Chai Cup demonstrates that agricultural waste can be transformed into valuable, functional, and sustainable products to promote environmental protection and foster a greener future.