Our Story
WHY DIAPERS ?
As well as the burden diapers pose for mothers, diapers also contribute to the environment as waste, thus threatening wildlife and pollution. Mass production of diapers is therefore problematic, with over 18 billion disposable diapers ending up in landfills annually. Hence, diapers stand as the third largest contributor to landfill in the world.
Why pineapple fibers and how it is a good fit?
Rayong stands as both Thailand’s main exporter of pineapple and one of the few cities in Thailand where pineapple is grown all year long. However, farmers view pineapple leaves as waste. As an efficient alternative, farmers incinerate the pineapple leaves to get rid of it, thus releasing pollution and toxic gasses into the atmosphere.
Countless women in Rayong’s local community have explained the struggles they face of seeking employment, elaborating how "they are too old to work in factories” and that “there are a lack of opportunities as they do not want to travel far away from their homes”. However, through their use and processing of pineapples, they have manufactured pineapple by-products e.g. clothing which have brought them additional income.
Due to our desire to help them, we have promoted their products through all of our social media platforms and have bought 5 kilograms of the pineapple fiber they produce and have incorporated these fibres into our diapers.
Comparatively to other materials, the cloth which consists of a mixture of pineapple and cotton fibres evaporates and dries much faster, as well as having higher endurance towards washing machines and scratches.
When raw cotton is spun into a yarn, the fibers are stretched but they possess no elasticity. Therefore, once the fabric is washed, the fibers lose that tension, thus resulting in a loss of shape. However, pineapple fibres are lignocellulosic, durable and elastic, thus resisting damage.
How is it produced ?
After 7 months, when the pineapple plant is allowed to breed fully, the pineapples are sent to factories and the leaves are harvested.
To allow pineapple’s leaves to be collected throughout the whole year, pineapple trees are planted in systematic columns and rows.
Once they are harvested, the leaves go through decortication using a locally made compressing machine (เครื่องรีด) , thus producing cellulosic strands. Subsequently, they are washed and soaked and later dried in the sun for 1 to 2 days. Here, the green-colour will disappear. Approximately 40-45 kilograms of fresh leaves will yield 1 kilogram of pineapple fibre.
After that, with the use of an arrow-head mixture, the pineapple fibre is combined with cotton in a specific ratio. This ensures that the material of the fabric is not too rough and does not irritate the infant’s skin.
Following that, to produce a cloth, a skilled artisan is required to warp and weft the loom. An experienced artisan may take approximately 1 day to weave a cloth with 4-5 metres in length.
After that, we sent our cloths to the Women’s correctional institute so that the women prisoners there could earn more income through sewing our cloths into diapers.
Composition of diapers
After having explored different composition combinations, as well as considering cost, environmental-friendliness and sustainability, we have finally found the perfect ratio of pineapple leaf fibres to cotton for the manufacture of our diapers.
RAYONG COMMUNITY
Because Pluak Daeng District, Rayong Province, is one of the central locations in which pineapples are grown as an agricultural product, abundant amounts of agricultural waste are produced.
In Rayong, residents would often call pineapples not as สัปปะรด but as สํามะหรด ลักกะต้า or ลักกะต๋า. Therefore, to preserve their dialect and culture, the residents of Rayong named their fabric 'Lakkata' (ผ้าใยลักกะตา)
Weaving in the Rayong community began in 2013 when Mr. Wichit Chatpaisith, the governor of Rayong, bought in resources, e.g., weaving equipment, so that they could participate in the Mahabun Junla Kathin festival by producing cloths.
At the end of Rayong's annual local weaving festival, all the equipment would immediately be put back into storage. Therefore, these resources would be used only once yearly during the weaving period.
As a result, the Rayong Junla Kathin weaving team members decided to come together to utilize the maximum potential of existing resources to create employment and income for the local community.
In 2015, the weaving team initially wanted to incorporate naturally dyed cotton into their products. They tried weaving sarongs and loincloths but soon discovered they needed to be more unique and captivating to distinguish themselves from competitors. Through surveys, observation, and research, they found that the pineapple leaves, which were of waste, could be transformed into fibers and subsequently into fabric.
The women's emergency center
The Women’s Emergency Home was established in 1980 as a temporary shelter to support the well-being of women both physically and mentally. The shelter assists troubled children who have experienced family problems, women who have encountered unprepared pregnancy, been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, been raped, abandoned or abused mentally or physically by their husbands. Therefore, they provide assistance with housing, food, health care and counseling, as well as, arming these women with skills and encouragement, allowing them to possess the skills required to live sustainability. Besides, the Women’s Emergency Home organizes a psychotherapy session to raise these women’s self esteem and ensure that they lead a normal life in society. As a result, this allows women, with different backgrounds, stories and struggles, to connect and share with one another.
Central Women's Correctional Institution
The Central Women's Correctional Institution, often referred to as the Central Women's Prison, is a prominent correctional facility in Thailand specifically designed to incarcerate female inmates. It is located in the Chatuchak District of Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. This facility primarily serves as a place of detention and rehabilitation for women who have been convicted of various crimes and offenses.
OUR CARE PACKAGEs
As part of our donation to the women's emergency center, we included reusable diapers in our care package. The inspiration for this donation came from the outbreak of Covid-19, which had a severe financial impact on many mothers with unwanted children who were struggling to provide for their families.
Raising a child is an expensive undertaking, and many families have to spend a significant portion of their income on diapers alone - up to $936 per year. This financial burden often means that families are unable to provide other essential needs such as healthcare and education for their children.
Our care packages contained reusable diapers, formula milk, self-made alcohol, toys, a guide on how to use, wash, and adjust the diaper's size, and descriptions of the fabric used in the diaper. Our goal is to empower and support young women during difficult times, especially in this foundation, where opportunities are provided to women to flourish, grow, and restart their lives.