Problem solving in Ribbed Smoke Sheet (RSS) production by environmentally friendly rubber fund cooperatives in Songkhla province

Abstract

     This survey research studied problem solving associated with clean technology applications in ribbed smoked rubber sheet (RSS) production by 33 environmentally friendly rubber fund cooperatives in Songkhla province. Purposive selection was used for data selection. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire and non-participant observations with employee groups in the rubber fund cooperatives, and groups of people located within a 1 kilometer radius of the rubber fund cooperatives. The samples were classified into 132 observations per group. Sampling used purposive selection. The derived data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that noise pollution was an important problem associated with ribbed smoked rubber sheet production by the environmentally friendly rubber fund cooperatives. The major cause of health problems was dust and smoke from ribbed smoked rubber sheet production. The environmentally friendly rubber fund cooperatives had applied clean technology in terms of cost saving at a high level (X̄ = 3.63). In addition, pollution reduction, and reuse and recycling had been applied at a moderate level (X̄ = 3.26). The related government agencies should provide knowledge and recommendations for appropriate pollutant treatment technology for the rubber fund cooperatives.