Participatory design and upcycling practice as a means to transform municipal solid waste into products that can benefit the local community: A case study in Khon Kaen province

Abstract

Upcycling offers a creative and sustainable approach to transforming waste materials into products of higher value. However, in Thailand, upcycling remains relatively underdeveloped at the community level, particularly in small and under-resourced areas where waste management initiatives often rely on top-down approaches that may not fully reflect local needs, capacities, or cultural contexts. This research aims to develop a participatory design guideline to enhance community engagement and improve upcycling practices in small Thai communities in response to local municipal solid waste challenges. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including an online survey, semi-structured interviews with design experts and local leaders, and participatory workshops conducted in two contrasting communities in Khon Kaen province. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and triangulated to inform the development of a five-step participatory upcycling guideline; 1) community participation, 2) needs assessment and material collection, 3) design thinking and prototyping workshops, 4) local art and craft integration, and 5) skills training and capacity building. The findings indicate that community members can engage effectively in upcycling when the design process is accessible, culturally relevant, and adapted to local skill levels. The integration of local identity and craft practices further enhanced both participant motivation and the perceived value of the products. Evaluation through expert feedback and field testing suggests that the guideline is adaptable to similar low-resource settings seeking to address environmental challenges through design-based collaboration. Overall, the study demonstrates that participatory upcycling can support not only the development of useful products, but also collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and greater community ownership of waste-related issues. The proposed guideline contributes to the growing discussion on participatory design, upcycling, and community-based sustainability by offering a culturally grounded model for small-community application in Thailand.