KIMEKOMI WORKSHOP AS THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES TO RECYCLE THE FABRIC WASTE IN THE SOCIETY

Abstract

Waste problem is a multidimensional phenomenon that often occurs frequently in many Indonesian cities, including Tangerang. Every day, various activities and businesses ranging from households to industry generate waste, resulting in an ever-increasing amount of waste. One type of business that produces waste is a tailoring or sewing business. In their activities of producing clothes, the tailoring businesses cannot be separated from the leftover fabric. The leftover fabrics would generate waste that could be hazardous to the environment and public health if they were not properly managed. Certain activities or skills are required to convert the fabric waste into useful products. Therefore, it is critical for lecturers to provide trainings that can improve the community’s skills to utilize the fabric waste so that the reduction of waste can be carried out.  Kimekomi, a Japanese art-based skill training is one of the trainings that may turn the leftover fabrics into economically valuable products. The method used in the training is a workshop. Participants get the opportunity to directly practice the material presented and apply the skills taught, and solve the difficulties they face together. The activity was targeting women who were sewing business actors in Tangerang area. The result of this community service activity is tailor workers have the abilities to convert the leftover fabrics into craft products which have commercial value and at the same time can reduce the fabric waste.