The Effectiveness of Recycling Maumere Woven Fabric Scraps in Developing Creativity and Environmental Awareness Character among Students at SDK Bhaktiarsa Maumere

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a recycling program using Maumere woven fabric scraps to enhance creativity and environmental awareness character among elementary school students. A quasi-experimental method with a One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design was employed. The research subjects consisted of 35 fifth-grade students at SDK Bhaktiarsa Maumere, selected through purposive sampling. Data collection instruments included a creative product assessment rubric and a Likert-scale questionnaire measuring environmental awareness character. Data were analyzed using a Paired-Samples t-Test. The results indicated a significant increase in the students' mean creativity score, from 62.40 (fair category) to 84.15 (very creative category). Environmental awareness character also increased from 58.50% to 81.20% following the intervention. Statistical testing confirmed a p-value of < 0.001, demonstrating that the use of culture-based local waste is effective as an ecological and motor-skills learning medium. This study concludes that integrating handicrafts based on local wisdom can transform textile waste into a character education medium that positively impacts elementary school students in urban-cultural settings.