Đà Nẵng students turn organic waste into multi-purpose cleaning solution

Students from the College of Science and Education under the University of Đà Nẵng develop the multi-purpose cleaning solution made from organic waste. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Dũng

ĐÀ NẴNG — A group of students from the College of Science and Education under the University of Đà Nẵng have developed a multi-purpose cleaning solution made from organic waste, aiming to transform what households throw away into something useful.

The cleaning solution, can effectively clean grease, dirt and grime from ceramic, glass, plastic items, tiles and even remove long-standing residues in drains.

Besides ensuring consumer health, this solution significantly reduces the amount of chemicals and organic waste released into the environment.

The students are promoting the product by teaching people how to make it at home.

Sharing the inspiration behind the idea, Trần Thị Quỳnh Như, a chemistry student at the college, explained that in her community, most households use chemical cleaners for daily tasks such as house cleaning, dishwashing and laundry. These chemicals not only affect health, but also pollute water and soil.

Additionally, each household generates a significant amount of organic waste daily, such as vegetable scraps and fruit peels, which often produce unpleasant odours.

With the desire to create a cleaning solution from organic waste, in April 2024, Như, along with four other students, including Nguyễn Thị Thảo, Lê Võ Như Thùy, Trần Thị Kim Oanh and Nguyễn Thành Toàn, came up with the project of producing a multi-purpose enzyme-cleaning solution from plant by-products.

Explaining the production process, Thảo said that through research, the group discovered that the fermentation process could use green vegetables and sugar and cellulose-rich fruits.

Therefore, they selected organic waste materials such as green vegetables, fruit peels and molasses for fermentation, using soapnuts as a natural foaming and cleaning agent. Lemon and grapefruit peels, along with mint and cinnamon essential oils, were used for fragrance and corn starch was added to achieve the desired thickness and consistency.

The production process involves several steps, including collecting, processing materials, fermenting and filtering the product and then mixing up the final solution.

According to Thảo, the product can be used for dishwashing, floor cleaning, sanitising bathrooms and unclogging drains.

Additionally, it can improve soil quality and repel insects, meeting daily household needs while ensuring user safety and environmental protection.

In particular, the multi-purpose enzyme cleaning solution has no expiration date and becomes more effective over time.

Spreading eco-friendly products

With the trust and support of their professors at the College of Science and Education, in July 2024, during the Green Summer programme, the students used their homemade multi-purpose enzyme cleaning solution to donate to residents of Điện Phong Commune, Điện Bàn Town in Quảng Nam Province.

The students also organised a workshop to show residents how to create the cleaning solution themselves using their daily organic waste.

Students show a resident of Điện Phong Commune, Điện Bàn Town in the central province of Quảng Nam how to create the cleaning solution.

Mai Thị Tịnh, resident in Điện Phong Commune, Điện Bàn Town, expressed her enthusiasm after receiving the product and learning how to make it.

"I’m very happy to learn that everyday organic waste can be turned into such a useful product. After using it, I found the product’s quality to be excellent. It can replace commercial cleaners like dishwashing liquid and floor cleaner. This method not only protects my family’s health but also reduces daily living costs and helps maintain environmental cleanliness," she said.

Phan Phước Được, secretary of the Điện Phong Commune Youth Union, noted that the programme received positive feedback from the community. The product contributes to environmental protection by repurposing organic waste into useful items, helping residents save money on cleaning products.

Nguyễn Thị Kim Ánh, deputy secretary of the University of Đà Nẵng's Youth Union, commended the students' scientific research efforts, highlighting that their product, born from an environmental protection idea, has already yielded practical benefits.

It helps raise environmental awareness among the community and reflects the students' spirit of creativity, responsibility and commitment to contributing to the community.

The project of producing multi-purpose enzyme cleaning solution from plant by-products won third prize in the start-up projects for rural youth competition organised by the Đà Nẵng Youth Union and advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 rural youth start-up project competition held by the Central Youth Union. — VNS