The Development of Packaging from Local Plant Fibers to Promote The Tourism Community Enterprise, Huai Raeng Sub-Distric, Mueang Distric, Trat Province

Abstract

This research was an applied research utilizing the participatory research method. The objective was to study biological resource base of plants in local areas which could process their fibers. This was to pass on technology and knowledge in processing fibers from local plants to the community. The research operation in the beginning was to go into the area to survey and collect the plant data in the community which the fibers could be used for processing. This was done by community stage. Then the author tried producing paper from plant fiber in community and choose suitable paper to produce containers for community product by using small group meeting. Lastly, the container was designed for community products from paper that was chosen and then selected the draft and evaluated the satisfaction to community product container. The data were collected from the sample group of 15 community enterprise members by specific sampling using Likert Scale in data analysis. The research result could be summarized as follows. From the survey of plants in the community, it was found that there were 7 plants that could process fibers into paper including kluay khai banana, namwah banana, nipa palm, betel nut, coconut, pineapple, and Sea Hibiscus. These 7 plants were processed into paper by referencing the process from the production of fiber and paper from paper mulberry. It was found to be a suitable plant to produce containers as community product because it was tough, did not break easily, could be easily folded and it has beautifully natural color. Regarding the development of community product container, it was found that community product chosen to make containers including soap, yellow oil and product bags. The product containers were designed for 4 types with the guidelines in designing as follows. 1) could be produced easily and the community could product by themselves 2) looking good 3) could show community identity and 4) storing product and maintaining their conditions. As for the result of the selectin and evaluation of the satisfaction of community product containers, it was found that fourth soap container draft had the highest score with the average score of 4.32 which was at a good level. The first yellow oil product draft had the highest score with the average score at 4.40 which was at a good level and the third product bag draft had the highest score of 4.41 which was at a good level.