Microbial Processing of Coconut-based Industrial Waste for Sustainable Pangandaran Tourism

Abstract

Pangandaran Regency is one of the iconic tourist destinations in the province of West Java. In addition to tourism potential, Pangandaran Regency has the third largest coconut plantation in the province of West Java. Currently, the coconut plantation area in Pangandaran reaches 33,400 hectares. Products that can be produced from coconut include cooking oil, virgin coconut oil (VCO), cosmetic ingredients, pharmaceuticals, liquid smoke, briquettes, and nata de coco. The coconut processing process certainly produces waste and requires a way to deal with it. The research method used is descriptive method, which is trying to get an overview of industrial waste made from coconut, how the waste is processed and how the influence of local microorganisms for processing the waste. The results of the study illustrate that the coconut processing industry in Pangandaran is mostly small category industry (75%), medium category industry (22%) and large category industry (3%). For medium and small category industries, waste treatment is carried out traditionally, and for large category industries it is treated with wastewater treatment plants. Coconut processing industrial waste is not included in the B3 (Hazardous Toxic) category. The use of local microorganisms (microbial processes) in treating coconut industrial waste functions as a coagulant, purifying and reducing pungent odors.