COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES: DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRODUCTION PROCESSES IN THE PASURUAN FURNITURE INDUSTRY TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF SMEs

Abstract

The furniture industry in Pasuruan, East Java, is one of the important sectors in the local economy and contributes greatly to Indonesian product exports. However, despite the large potential of this industry, the furniture sector faces serious challenges related to sustainability and the environmental impact of its production process. Most of the furniture industry in Pasuruan, especially among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), still relies on traditional technology and production methods that are less efficient and have a negative impact on the environment, such as the use of non-renewable raw materials, poorly managed wood waste, and high energy consumption. This community service activity (CSA) aims to provide solutions in the form of implementing environmentally friendly technology in the furniture production process in Pasuruan. The proposed environmentally friendly technology includes energy efficiency methods, wood waste management, and the use of more sustainable raw materials, such as wood from reprocessing or environmentally friendly alternative materials. This activity will increase the awareness and capacity of furniture SMEs to implement production processes that are not only efficient but also environmentally friendly. Thus, these industry players can reduce negative impacts on the environment while increasing the competitiveness of their furniture products in domestic and global markets that increasingly demand environmentally friendly products. In addition, this CSA aims to improve the quality of furniture products from Pasuruan SMEs by integrating sustainability principles into every stage of the production process. SMEs will be given training and assistance in identifying opportunities to implement environmentally friendly production practices, from selecting more efficient raw materials to better waste management methods. With an environmentally friendly, technology-based approach, SMEs will benefit from reduced production costs, energy savings, and increased competitiveness of higher quality and more sustainable products. The expected impact of this activity is the realization of a more sustainable furniture industry in Pasuruan, with the success of SMEs adopting environmentally friendly technology and being able to compete with international furniture products that increasingly pay attention to sustainability aspects. The implementation of this technology not only has an impact on production efficiency and reducing carbon footprints but can also contribute to the creation of new, larger market opportunities, with increasing global demand for environmentally friendly products. With more competitive, innovative, and sustainable results, the development of the furniture industry in Pasuruan will not only provide economic benefits for SMEs but also have a positive impact on the quality of life of the surrounding community, especially through the creation of better and more sustainable jobs. In addition, this effort also supports global efforts to mitigate climate change and ensure the sustainability of the manufacturing industry in general.