Universitas Andalas KKN Students Create Economic Opportunities through Songket Waste Recycling in Silungkang Tigo, Supporting SDG 12 and SDG 8

Sawahlunto, August 8, 2025 — Universitas Andalas continues to support sustainable development through community-based innovation in line with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Students participating in the Community Service Program (KKN) introduced an initiative to transform woven songket fabric waste into economically valuable products in Silungkang Tigo Village, Sawahlunto.

Silungkang Tigo is widely recognized as a center for high-quality songket weaving with distinctive traditional motifs. However, the production process generates textile waste in the form of fabric scraps and leftover threads, which are often discarded or burned. In response to this issue, Universitas Andalas students conducted field observations at a weaving facility in the Jembatan Merah area, Silungkang Oso, before developing a solution to convert waste into marketable handicrafts.

Fauzan, the program coordinator, explained that doormats were selected as the primary product due to their simple production process, low capital requirements, and strong market demand. The production involves weaving approximately 3.5 meters of fabric edge waste combined with plastic rope, using simple tools made of wood and metal. Each doormat can be completed in approximately 20 minutes.

The finished products are marketed at prices ranging from IDR 20,000 to IDR 25,000 per unit, both online through platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and Facebook, as well as offline in traditional markets. This initiative also revitalizes a similar program previously introduced by the Head of Silungkang Tigo Hamlet, Ferinof, which had not yet gained optimal community participation.

The program is part of the Universitas Andalas KKN activities supported by the Integrated Community Partnership Program (PKM-TKM) grant scheme and supervised by Field Supervisor Revi Marta, M.I.Kom. In addition to reducing environmental waste, the initiative is expected to increase community income and create new business opportunities in the village.

Looking ahead, the utilization of weaving waste has the potential to expand beyond doormats into a variety of creative products, including bags, wallets, tablecloths, and decorative cushions. This innovation is expected to strengthen Silungkang Tigo’s identity not only as a weaving center but also as a hub for sustainable, waste-based creative industries.