ANN ROSE SABU
Dr. Ashok Mondal
ann_s@nid.edu
This graduation project, Ecocane, explores sustainable alternatives for managing sugarcane bagasse, a major agricultural byproduct often discarded or burned, causing environmental pollution. Recognizing sugarcane’s importance to rural livelihoods and bio-based industries, the project investigates how bagasse can be transformed into useful, value-added products through design. The objective was to study bagasse as a raw material, identify eco-friendly natural binders, and develop functional, durable artifacts that demonstrate waste-to-resource innovation. The process began with material research to understand the texture, strength, and limitations of bagasse fibers, followed by hands-on experimentation using natural binding methods to improve structural integrity. Various making techniques such as coiling, stitching, and molding were explored to create cordages, coasters, tableware accessories, and lighting products. The project demonstrates that agricultural waste like bagasse can be repurposed into meaningful products, promoting sustainable design practices and encouraging a shift toward environmentally responsible and livelihood-supporting material use.