MXResearchers and students from the Chemical Engineering faculty at UNAM’s FES Zaragoza developed 'Es-Pumita', a biodegradable liquid soap made from used cooking oil collected from campus cafes. The initiative, led by researcher Alejandra Chávez Riveros, aims to reduce environmental contamination by repurposing waste oil through a process called saponification. Each liter of improperly discarded oil can contaminate up to 40,000 liters of water, and such residues contribute to pipe blockages and flooding in Mexico City. The project emphasizes circular economy principles and environmental education, involving students in collection, transformation, and utilization of waste. Es-Pumita, which has been registered as a brand, is part of a green chemical engineering research line. Initially designed as solid 'puma paw'-shaped soap, the team shifted to a liquid formulation now used as a pilot project in Campus II bathrooms, with plans to expand to Campus I. Current lab capacity limits production, but community interest drives efforts to find larger facilities for increased output.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of a university-led sustainability initiative without overt ideological framing. While the topic relates to environmental policy and public governance, the focus remains on scientific innovation and community engagement rather than partisan debate. The tone is
