Management of Cocoa Shell Waste into Leather Products Through Design Thinking Processes Under The BCG Economic Concept

Abstract

     This academic article aims to study the management of cocoa husk waste into leather products through design thinking under the BCG economic model. The study found that cocoa husk waste in Suan Phueng District poses a community problem in environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Applying design thinking to the BCG economic model is a crucial mechanism for transforming waste that might otherwise become organic waste into a primary raw material for processing into contemporary fashion leather products. This helps solve environmental problems, upgrades the grassroots economy, and sustainably increases the value of local resources. The findings, applied through the five-step design thinking process under the BCG economic model, are as follows: 1. Understanding consumers: Shifting the perspective of cocoa husks from waste to a bio-resource to reduce waste disposal costs and create supplementary income for farmers. 2. Analyzing and defining the requirements for creating environmentally friendly leather products. 3. Developing an innovative bio-leather product from cocoa husk powder mixed with natural rubber, based on green economy principles and without chemicals. 4. Creating a prototype by transforming the product into a unique, biodegradable contemporary fashion product. 5. Testing and improving the product by marketing it at Oh Poi Market and Buffalo Market to gather feedback from the community markets, leading to product quality improvement and the creation of a measurable circular economy within the community.