Innovation

In most areas with many coconut trees, dried coconut leaves are very common things to be seen. In the area where Mr. Edi lives, there are so many coconut trees, and also its dried leaves that lie around it. By splitting the dried leaves into a smaller stick or what most people call it as "lidi", the transformed dried leaves give a lot of functions such as turned into brooms. But Mr. Edi, turn the lidi not only into brooms but also some kitchen and eating utensils, such as plates and jars. By using organic materials, some can reduce the usage of plastic or any inorganic materials, and also for some restaurants lidi plate helps them to reduce washing their plates and also reducing the usage of washing soaps.

Mr. Edi (right) is creating plate by weaving the lidi.

Inspiration

What inspired Mr. Edi is the gift of the nature, which is free, is scattered around the area. "Why can't we use any of these?" said Mr. Edi. With almost zero cost to gather the main resources, he can turn it into something that has value to be sold.

Overall impact

There are many dried coconut leaves around, and the most common method to get rid of this organic material is by burning it. Because waiting the dried leaves rot to become natural fertilizer will take some time and the pile of dried leaves will be large and we desperately need to solve the problem. The solution is by upcycling the coconut leave into plate made of sticks (lidi plate). For the long run, not only restaurants but also the surrounding community can use the lidi plate or other lidi utensil into their kitchen. And for the restaurants, most people are getting smarter every day, they will also consider the usage of organic material instead of plastic as the plus point to the restaurants, as part of reducing the usage of inorganic materials.

Business benefit

The main materials is dried coconut leaves which is already available in the area. With almost zero cost to produce and gather the resources, Mr. Edi turn this opportunity into a business. Not only Indonesian restaurants that took interest into lidi plates, but also some International restaurants that support the usage of recycled organic materials are interested to use Mr Edi's creation.

Social and environmental benefit

The usage of lidi in most urban areas might not be very useful, but for people in the rural area, most of their daily tools are using lidi such as brooms. This invention is not only helping to reduce the organic waste of dried coconut leaves, but also the lidi creation can be used for the daily utensils in rural areas.

Interview

Edi Susanto, Founder