AGRICULTURE WASTE AS SOUND-ABSORBING MATERIAL: CASE STUDY LIBERIA

Abstract

In Liberia, agriculture is an important part of the economy and contributes significantly to national income; yet, the enormous amount of agricultural waste produced by agricultural operations and the absence of adequate waste management is negatively affecting the environment. One of the key objectives for improving the living environment is noise reduction. A sound absorber is a tool that may be used to do such. The ability to manage sound has been recognized as one of the essential aspects of a person’s comfort. Controlling the room’s acoustics is key. Generally, materials utilized for sound attenuation are synthetic fibers like glass wool fiber. Over time, it has been revealed that synthetic fibers are pricey and may be hazardous to the environment and human health. Natural fibers as an alternative to synthetic fiber are therefore receiving more attention. This research presents natural agricultural waste materials as a replacement for conventional sound-absorbing materials as these materials offer the benefits of being inexpensive, lightweight, easily accessible, environmentally friendly, and non-polluting. The waste products from agriculture that can be employed in the realm of noise control include coconut fiber, groundnut shell, and sugarcane fiber.