While timber production has generated profitable earnings for many countries, including Malaysia, it can cause severe economic, environmental and social costs if not managed sustainably. Trees are cut down at a rapid rate to meet the demand for various products from paper to furniture. According to Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali, Malaysia exported RM22.5 billion worth of wood-based products last year, of which furniture products made up the highest export at RM9.14 billion followed by plywood products (RM3.40 billion) and sawn timber (RM3.37 billion)1.
Group members (from left to right) Irene Lee, Becky Wong, Catherine Lo, Liew Yee Kiun and Khoo Sin Mei won the Design Thinking Challenge with their project featuring a substitute for wood using pineapple leaves fibre.
So, what if something other than newly-harvested trees can be used to replace wood? According to a group of students from INTI College Sabah, the leaves of a popular local fruit can become an alternative source for timber in Malaysia’s wood industries. Their project, which is a part of INTI’s Design Thinking module, a required Matapelajaran Umum for all degree students, won the Design Thinking challenge against six other competing groups.
When Bachelor in Accounting and Finance students Becky Wong Pie Chee, Catherine Lo Li Fun, Irene Lee Lie Ling, Khoo Sin Mei, and Liew Yee Kiun came up with this substitute for wood, they kept the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty) and 15 (Life on Land) firmly in mind.
“When we came up with the idea of using agricultural wastes to replace timber, we wanted to resolve not only the issue of shortage of raw materials in the wood industries, but we also hoped it would reduce poverty among local farmers by increasing their income and allowing them to simultaneously collaborate with local wood industries,” said Irene.
She said the group had initially decided to use seaweed as an alternative raw material to make plastic packaging for cosmetic products. Unfortunately, the process was too complicated and costly. They then discovered the similarity in the texture of pineapple leaves fibre and wood fibre when they came across a research journal on the use of pineapple leaves fibre to produce eco-friendly plastic.
The Pinaboard, as it is dubbed by the team, uses pineapple leaves fibre to replace the wood fibre used in Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) and particleboard.
“Using pineapple waste as a substitute to wood fibre gives the leaves a new purpose and value, while raising farmers’ incomes. It is also more cost-efficient than wood fibre. This way, less timber is required to manufacture furniture and supports the sustainable management of forests,” she said.
Their Design Thinking journey was not without its challenges. The team recalled how they lacked access to proper equipment, such as a hot-press machine, after the CMCO caused wood manufacturing factories to close temporarily. Because of this, the resulting prototype was not in its best form.
“This limitation pushed us to be creative in sourcing alternative ways to prepare our prototype at home. So, we ended up using the weight of a car and sunlight to ‘hot-press’,” Irene said with a smile, adding that they were pleasantly surprised that the Pinaboard was able to handle weights of more than six kilogrammes.
Group members Irene Lee, Becky Wong, Catherine Lo, Liew Yee Kiun and Khoo Sin Mei pose with the panel of judges during their final presentation of the Design Thinking Challenge.
Despite the challenges, the team admitted that having a mentor from an organisation that shares an interest in environmental conservation and empowering communities, was the icing on the cake.
Leanne Marian Hong, Project Coordinator at the Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies (BEST) Society, said the non-profit organization is dedicated to supporting people and building resilient communities.
“Whether we are introducing innovative agricultural methods, finding new approaches to mitigate human-elephant conflict, fostering development through collaboration and providing basic necessities, BEST Society engages, empowers and elevates rural communities in Sabah by implementing sustainable development initiatives to improve livelihoods and the quality of life, and to conserve nature for the next generation,” she said.
According to Leanne, BEST Society and its sister companies, Sukau Rainforest Lodge and Borneo Eco Tours, encourages Design Thinking among its employees in furthering their sustainable development agenda.
“We have a learning division that encourages us to find and apply innovative solutions to our work. This also helps me to better guide my own mentees as they innovate and get creative in tackling problems,” she added.
Leanne shared that Design Thinking has never been more crucial to an organization than now, especially with many being impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The current situation calls for innovation and creativity.
“It is disheartening to see the tourism industry affected by the pandemic. BEST Society and its sister companies take whatever opportunities we have to innovate and think out of the box, with hopes of getting things back to speed,” she said.
After the organisation’s plans were disrupted by the challenging circumstances brought about by COVID-19, flexibility has also become vital to the organisation.
“For example, the follow-up of our very first pitching competition that we carried out with the local communities had to be done online this year. The winner receives an RM5,000 grant to develop their community-based tourism idea. Then we guide them on how to run marketing and promotions, teach them which platforms to utilise, and guide them on the basic hospitality do’s and don’ts. Every now and then we follow up on their progress. We are still thinking of ways to adapt our projects to the current situation,” Leanne concluded.
Uncertainty is rife amongst all industries and individuals, but adapting to new ways to survive during these difficult times is necessary. Design Thinking is not only preparing students for a future that will demand from them creativity, critical thinking, and flexibility, but is also helping organisations turn challenges into opportunities during COVID-19 and beyond.