Creating Waste Coconut Coir as A Creative Art

Abstract

Issues related to maintaining the balance of nature and preserving regional culture have long been the focus of implementing community service as one of the lecturers' activities when carrying out higher education duties. The campus's role is expected to drive economic growth in rural communities as part of the implementation of the application of science and technology that comes from the academic community. However, until now, there is still a limited number of lecturers who encourage local people to maximize their area's potential, especially those related to agriculture. Pakandangan area, Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra, is rich in coconut. All parts of the coconut tree, such as the trunk, leaves, fruit, and coconut roots, can meet daily needs and are known as zero-waste plants. There are no people who have the knowledge and skills to process coir into souvenirs whose selling price is even higher than the coconuts themselves. Through design methods, training, and workshop activities, strategies are arranged so that the community can get double benefits from their crops. The community is motivated to be observant about the situation and trends that are developing and appropriate the work. With a simple design, coir waste can be created into beautiful souvenirs.