The Study of Guidelines of Using Peanut Shells in Plant Pot Designs : A Case Study of a Farmer Housewife Group, Nongkhong Village, Khon Yoong Sub-Distrct, Kut Chap District

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to: 1) study the process of applying peanut shell used as materials in product design, 2) design plant pot set from peanut shells for the group of people who are interested in the eco-product design and planting, and 3) conduct the survey about users' attitude toward the redesigned products, and 3) conduct the survey about users' attitude toward the newly designed products. The informants in this study are: an eco-design specialist, and a head of farmer housewife producing Gong-Tong-Brand Peanut group. The research instruments were interviews and questionnaire on satisfaction of 100 users of the products. Data was analyzed for frequencies, means and standard deviations. The results of the research illustrate that: 1) peanut shell is a fragile natural material, has low strength, and is easily moldy. In order to use the peanut shells as materials, other materials must be researched to mix in order to fortify their strength. Moreover, it is necessary to have an in-depth study about fungi and methods to minimize the mold formation: one is the use of starch glue mixing with coconut fluff then extrude and shape the mixture with heat. 2) plant pots designed come in three styles of small plant pots with the emphasis on material value the material value, eco-producing processes, adaptability in different places, and convenience in moving and also light weight, 3) the results of users' attitudes toward the products shows that the possibility of production for commercial distribution in order to generate community income is at the highest level (=4.82), followed by using abandoned peanut shells to create new products which is also at the highest level (=4.76), subtility of  materials at the high level (=4.72) and appropriateness of producing processes at the high level (=4.57) respectively.