Blog # 3: CocoCare: Harnessing Husks for a Greener Tomorrow
Fig 1. BIOTA Conference with the International Speakers
I am Lovely May Cainglet, a third-year college student at Central Mindanao University, enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Biology program under the Institute of Biological Sciences. Regarding the accumulation of coconut waste near market walls, we, as members of the biological society and associate members of the Biology Teachers Association (BIOTA)-Bukidnon, have concluded that this is an urgent issue. The community around this situation is at serious risk of contamination, which is why we need to resolve this pending problem by accumulating solutions that tend to support and help both the community and the environment itself. Together with my fellow group members—Rob Daniel Pulmones, Faye Xyra Solivio, Carl Hiendrick Radovan, Rholeine Jane Taña, Jannah Hinay, Louella Magabang, Cutee Sophia Patriarca, and Beyonce Balili—we have decided to use both creativity and resourcefulness to address this environmental issue. By employing the resources at our disposal, we hope to aid in the preservation of Mother Nature.
Fig 2. Research picture example of using coconut husk as a resource for sustainable building material
After engaging in a productive discussion with our advisor, we made some further improvements to the method for making particle board from residual coconut waste. In order to coordinate our strategies, descriptions, designs, obstacles, inventions, and modifications to the business model, the Business Model Canvas proved to be an indispensable tool. With its nine fundamental building blocks—Customer Segment, Value Propositions, Channels, Customer Relationship, Revenue Streams, Key Resources, Key Activities, Key Partnerships, and Cost Structure—this canvas functions as a comprehensive framework. These particular components were essential in helping us better comprehend the suggested business. They gave the group an organized method for making decisions, assisting us in assessing and refining many facets of our endeavor. Our startup was viewed more comprehensively courtesy to the Business Model Canvas, which made sure we took into account important elements including target market, value delivery, distribution methods, customer interactions, income generation, essential resources, important activities, collaborations, and cost considerations. This method not only made the foundation of our project stronger, but it also cleared the way for a more thoughtful and calculated move ahead in our endeavor to turn coconut waste into particle board.
Fig 3. Silmaro Furniture, MMR Construction Services, and eeeDesign+Build, Maramag, Bukidnon base furniture stores and businesses.
For us, building important alliances—and concentrating on developing supplier-buyer connections in particular—was essential to growing our business. Identifying possible customers for our product was the group's main objective. Our decision to look for important partners among furniture stores and businesses that employ contractors situated within the Maramag to Valencia, Bukidnon region. Our inquiry in the municipality of Maramag led us to three possible customers for our products: Silmaro Furniture, MMR Construction Services, and eeeDesign+Build.
Fig 4. Jmbelgira Furniture, MLD Upholstery Furniture, and XY Builders, Valencia, Bukidnon base furniture stores and businesses.
In the meantime, two furniture manufacturers in Valencia, Jmbelgira Furniture and MLD Upholstery Furniture, showed aptitude and expressed interest in our products. We also identified XY Builders, a Valencia City-based business that uses a lot of particle board, as another possible important partner for our project. Our goal of sustainable and regional collaboration in transforming coconut waste into value particle board products is aligned with our strategic approach to finding and forming partnerships with local firms that also expands our market reach.
Each team member conducted on-site interviews with employees from various shops and companies, while others gathered insights from individuals who had prior experiences using particle boards. Subsequently, a collaborative discussion ensued, centering on two hypotheses: (1) the market demand for particle board made from coconut husk and mahogany is shaped by customer perceptions of its unique composition, with a quantifiable willingness to buy on a 1-10 scale; and (2) Customer preferences for sustainable and environmentally friendly particle boards are influenced by specific features and attributes, with perceived value being a significant factor in their purchasing decisions. The hypotheses were addressed through the following questions:
Are there particular details that you are looking for in a sustainable and environment-friendly particle board that will make you buy it?
As the product suggests the mixture of coconut fiber and mahogany for particle board production, do you think this product would be in demand in the market?
How much per product for a customer’s budget?
What do you think is the edge of a sustainable and environment-friendly particle board than the other competitors in the market?
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest. How willing are you to buy this kind of product?
Concerns over the emergence of cheap, artificial particle board were voiced by a few interviewees. Particle boards normally go through lamination with a planned layer to provide a covering, thus this was not thought to be a major issue. It's interesting to note that many buyers were mainly drawn to the particle board's increased tensile strength. Our set of interviewers, who were well-versed in the commercial particle board that is now on the market, repeatedly brought up this fact. Fortunately, by adding mahogany waste as an extra component to the coconut waste, our business offering seeks to specifically solve this concern. Mahogany waste is purposefully added to the particle board in order to increase its tensile strength. This feature is unique when compared to other particle boards and corresponds with the desires that were noted throughout the interview process.
Given that the particle board was manufactured using leftover materials from the coconut and mahogany industries, prospective customers believe that if it was more affordable than other particle boards on the market, there ought to be a demand for it. Since particle boards are less expensive than solid wood, they have been in use for a long. This brings up another point, the tensile strength, which ought to increase the product's demand in the marketplace. Certainly, the group took into consideration both of the issues.
We learned that traditional particle boards with comparable specs were being sold for more money, usually more than 80 pesos, after speaking with a local furniture manufacturer. Given its waste-derived nature, we decided to offer our particle board at a lower price point in an effort to attract consumers who are looking for both quality and cost reductions. Our interviewers have emphasized the potential benefits of our product, highlighting its eco-friendly composition, competitive pricing, and enhanced tensile strength, all of which together create a compelling value proposition for consumers in the market.
The introduction of this business product has played a significant role in mitigating environmental pollution on Earth. The collecting of wastes, namely coconut husks and fibers, and also mahogany waste, which would otherwise take a long time for natural biodegradation, is the first step in the production process. This environmentally friendly strategy helps to reduce environmental harm overall in addition to addressing the problem of waste accumulation. Furthermore, the beneficial influence reaches out into the community, attracting interest and backing from those who are passionate about protecting the environment. As merchants in later interviews pointed out, this is especially important for people who might not know how to properly dispose of coconut waste. The program not only offers a workable trash management solution, but it also increases community understanding of the significance of sustainable behaviors. We provide an eco-friendly substitute while also making a positive impact on a cleaner and healthier world by turning coconut trash into a useful product.
When it came to their willingness to purchase the product of the possible buyers, the majority of interviewees gave perfect scores. However, some answered 7-9 out of 10 since some preferred wood since they could afford a more stable utilization of materials. Even still, a lot of people were drawn to the eco-friendly product since it not only met consumer demands but also benefited the society. Environmental impact was guaranteed even during the particle board production process.
This startup's improved Business Model Canvas is made to be robust and achievable, offering a solid foundation for handling any issues that might come up during the project's defense. A persistent dedication to improving the product as the project advances guarantees that it not only satisfies but beyond the benchmarks established by client expectations. A key factor in this project's success is effective communication with potential customers, which creates a cooperative atmosphere that supports the intended result. The result of these efforts goes beyond just accomplishing an objective for the business; it also involves the active involvement of communities and societies. This cooperative effort acts as an encouragement to exceed customary expectations and drives the team toward achievements that are beyond customary conception. Because of everyone's dedication to sustainable practices and environmental improvement, the venture's success is not just personal but also a common accomplishment.
