Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), through the Educational Practice (Praktik Kependidikan/PK) program conducted by Science Education student Hasna Keke Amalita, organized an educational and hands-on activity on utilizing used bottles as planting containers for Family Medicinal Plants (Tanaman Obat Keluarga/TOGA) with 32 seventh-grade students from Class VII C of SMP Negeri 15 Yogyakarta. This activity served as a form of contextual learning that encouraged students to reuse discarded materials while enhancing their environmental awareness. The activity was conducted at SMP Negeri 15 Yogyakarta as part of the Educational Practice program for UNY students. Through this activity, students gained direct experience in transforming used bottles into plant containers, preparing planting media, planting TOGA, and understanding the importance of sustainable plant care.

The activity was motivated by the importance of fostering environmental awareness from an early age, particularly in response to the growing problem of plastic waste. Used bottles that would normally be discarded can be repurposed as planting containers, thereby giving them a new function. This activity also introduced students to the application of the 3R principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), particularly reuse, or the practice of using items that are still functional for new purposes. The activity began with an educational session on plastic waste issues and the importance of protecting the environment. After receiving the explanation, students cleaned the prepared used bottles and modified them into plant containers. They then prepared the planting media and planted TOGA in groups. Throughout the activity, students worked collaboratively by dividing tasks, preparing materials, planting the medicinal plants, and maintaining the cleanliness of the surrounding environment. In addition to producing planting containers from used bottles, the activity provided students with direct and meaningful learning experiences. They not only gained knowledge about repurposing used materials but were also encouraged to develop collaboration, responsibility, creativity, and environmental awareness.

The activity of utilizing used bottles as planting containers for TOGA is also closely related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) through experiential and hands-on learning. Students were given the opportunity to connect the knowledge they acquired with environmental issues encountered in their daily lives. Furthermore, the activity supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through the reuse of used bottles. Items that could otherwise become waste were transformed into functional containers for growing plants. In this way, students learned that waste management can be implemented through simple actions, including reusing items that are still suitable for use. The planting and maintenance of TOGA are also related to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Greening activities through plant cultivation can serve as a means of increasing students' awareness of the importance of plants for the environment. Meanwhile, using used bottles as plant containers integrates waste reuse with greening activities that can be implemented both at school and at home.

The implementation of the activity received support from the Principal of SMP Negeri 15 Yogyakarta, Drs. Siswanto, M.Pd.; the Science Teacher and School-Based Mentor, Mrs. Retno Yosiani Tanjung Sari, S.Pd.; as well as guidance from the Field Supervisor (Dosen Pembimbing Lapangan/DPL), Mr. Happri Novriza Setya Dhewantoro, M.Pd. A total of 32 seventh-grade students from Class VII C actively participated in the educational and TOGA planting activities. Through the utilization of used bottles, students gained practical experience in applying creativity, collaboration, and environmental awareness as part of efforts to support the achievement of the SDGs.