Eco-Design Screening and Material Balance Analysis of a Hand-Made Rattan Food Cover in Aceh Besar, Indonesia

Abstract

Studies of environmental burdens in Indonesia have largely focused on medium and large industries, leaving household-scale non-timber forest product industries underexamined. This study examines a handmade rattan food cover (tudung saji) produced in Lamgaboh Village, Lhoknga District, Aceh Besar Regency, where the renewability of rattan is often assumed to ensure environmental soundness. The study is not an ISO 14040/14044 life-cycle assessment; no life-cycle inventory database or characterized impact assessment was used. Instead, it combines Eco-Design PILOT screening with an independently constructed quantitative material balance. Measured evidence comprised gravimetric weighing of components and offcuts, production-stage observations, and interviews with artisans and rattan farmers. Of 0.572 kg of rattan entering production, 73.4% became product and 26.6% was discarded, corresponding to approximately 1.46 tonnes of solid waste annually at cluster scale. Material loss was concentrated in the main frame, which had a 60.0% yield, compared with 90.9% for the handle. Separately, Eco-Design PILOT outputs classified the product as hybrid SM, identified significant life-cycle phases, generated a relative global warming potential profile, and ranked improvement strategies. Because the tool rejects empty fields, four inputs with true zero values-additional hazardous materials, external parts, hauling distance, and packaging-were entered at the lowest available settings. These forced inputs were flagged and their implications examined. Across 15 checklist items, none was fulfilled; 13 were considered easy to implement and seven required no additional cost, indicating predominantly organizational improvement opportunities. Four structural limitations of the tool for handmade products were identified, together with compensatory measures.