Coconuts happen to be a vital part of our staple diet. Consuming tender coconut and the water in it has several health benefits and is very popular among locals and tourists visiting the state. Hence one sees tender coconut being sold by the roadside and in fruit-juice stalls. Hotels and restaurants use a large number of coconuts in their recipes and is a vital constituent of cooking in Goan households. The end result is a large quantity of coconut waste including husk and coconut shells being generated. Health officials have raised concern over the unsafe disposal of coconut shells since they can become breeding ground for several vector-borne diseases. Indiscriminate disposal of coconut husk and shells also contributes to drainage obstruction, flooding, and even fire outbreaks. The husk of the coconut is used to make coir from which a variety of other products such as carpets, mats, ropes, and brushes are made. Coconut shell has been used to make bowls or serving-spoons by cutting, smoothening and carving the coconut shells.The government needs to encourage small scale industries engaged in recycling coconut waste.
