We have been able to identify a local business through the application of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Since this project examines the impact of a local business in the community, the collection of quantitative data contributed significantly to the critical analysis of public perception and awareness of water caltrop biochar and its applications. This approach was helpful in helping the team develop insight into how the company's products and practices lead to sustainability and community development. Employing qualitative methods, including interviews and case studies, we analyzed the initiatives taken by the company and the motivations behind its eco-friendly practices. Meanwhile, it provides quantitative methodology, such as mailed questionnaire analysis and data analysis in general, to investigate people's recognition level of the biochar-like product of water caltrop coming from agricultural sources. This dual approach gave us an inclusive understanding not only of the company operations but also of the response that comes from the community to analyze the social and environmental implications of Guantian Black Gold.
As the graph above shows, the importance of sustainable cities and communities is well recognized. Around 98.7 percent of respondents indicated the importance of sustainable cities and communities as 3 and above. This response is caused by the rising awareness of global warming and the environmental impacts of modern industries. This indicates people understand the concept of sustainable cities. In response to the knowledge of global warming, many companies have taken action themselves, creating sustainable procedures and products. In this case, Guantian Black Gold uses renewable material, using caltrop shells as a replacement for many common materials. The company aims to resolve the pollution caused by agricultural waste and convert it into common, accessible products.
As the survey suggests, many are aware of the importance of sustainable cities. 87.1% of respondents rated sustainable cities a 4 or 5 out of 5. Furthermore, only 1% of respondents rated a 1 out of 5 in terms of importance. The significant consensus in recognition of sustainable urban development marks it as a key solution to resolving environmental issues like pollution-induced global warming. This data is also a reflection of the growing awareness of the environment. This data allows us to confidently compose information on Guantian Black Gold, without having to put much emphasis on the importance of the product that this company creates. Guantian Black Gold’s importance can thus be easily conveyed, allowing for a more clear and efficient method of advocating the benefits Guantian Black Gold’s products produce.
According to the 386 responses, most of the groups rated their perception of sustainable urban and rural areas as 3, indicating that they did not know much about this concept. This data shows that although some people understand the concept of sustainable urban and rural development, there is still room for in-depth education on such concepts. 62 people (16.1%) rated their perception of sustainable urban and rural areas as 5, while 106 people (27.5%) rated their cognition of sustainable urban and rural areas as 4, and a total of 44.3% of them had a high degree of concern and understanding of this change. A highly knowledgeable group is aware of the environmental risks of improper disposal of waste, indicating some knowledge. Such findings point to the need to educate about the potential consequences of sustainable urban and rural areas to increase the broader sense of the concept. This kind of data indicates even though people understand sustainability is an important concept, however, they don’t understand why it is important. In addition, it shows education and other actions to let people understand the sustainability of cities and communities.
According to the data, most people believe that the severity of discarding water caltrop is rated 3 (35.5%, 137 respondents); this indicates a neutral stance, which further suggests that many participants may lack detailed knowledge about the environmental impacts of discarding caltrop biochar; people might not understand the tremendous amount of water caltrop shell leftover in the field without proper recycling. For the high-concern group of people about this problem, There are 26.4% of people who voted rating 4 and 5. This group recognizes the environmental risks associated with improperly discarding biochar, suggesting some level of awareness or understanding. For the low-concern group, a combined 20.2% view the issue as less serious.
This indicates either a lack of awareness about the topic or the perception that its environmental impact is negligible. While 44.3% express significant concern about the environmental impact of discarding caltrop biochar, a substantial portion of respondents remain neutral or dismissive. These findings suggest the need for education on biochar's potential consequences to encourage broader recognition and action.
The distribution of satisfaction with the sustainable cities and communities policies of Taiwan is mostly neutral since 51.3% chose a rating of 3 on a scale between 1( not satisfied) to 5 (completely satisfied). The feelings of dissatisfaction correspond to ratings of 1 and 2, which accounted for 24.1%, while the satisfaction feelings account for ratings 4 and 5, which represent 24.6%. Extreme opinions occur rarely, while 5.2% reported choosing 1, and 9.3% indicated choosing 5. While outright dissatisfaction with the policies does not occur broadly, the policies seem to fail at inspiring strong approvals among the major population. This reflects the complexity and pluralism of sustainable city policies. Neutral responses may partly result from a general awareness of the existence of the policies without well-defined ideas as to whether or not they work or have significant impacts. To many respondents, the policies might not feel pertinent or real in their daily lives, and this makes them not have forceful opinions.
Ultimately, data shows a general feeling that while efforts toward sustainable cities are underway, their impact is either not well-communicated or not large enough yet to make a strong impression on public opinion. It may be necessary for policymakers to increase transparency, address visible urban challenges, and better engage the public to shift perceptions and improve satisfaction levels.
The option: “Black gold recycled from caltrop biochar shells”, received the most responses. The option gathered 137 votes (35.5%). This indicates that most respondents connect the term “Black Gold” with “reused caltrops”. The underlying reasoning may be caused by education activities in the local area, such as environmental protect-related advocacy, and recycling programs. In addition, according to our data and research, this answer might come from people that are around the age 46-55, because people around this age have experienced caltrop more commonly around their community, as this kind of crop is a very common plant in the past decades. This allows people to easily accept the use of caltrop shells as a new product through recycling. The option: “Not sure”, received a similar amount of responses as the option above, indicating that “Black Gold ” is not a familiar concept in the public eye, this is because as time passed, the caltrop industry gradually diminished, leading the younger generation have a lesser understanding about it. The option: “A kind of metal”, occupied 1/4th of the respondent demographics, with 96 respondents (24.9%). This might be caused by the correlation of the word “Gold” in “Black Gold‘, with metals. Furthermore, the choice “Grey Mullet” has 18.7% votes, due to grey fish is it might be influenced by the everyday use of mullet fish or regional culture, but such associations are not mainstream.
The knowledge about water caltrops biochar among the 386 respondents is rather mediocre but highly uneven. Response distribution is severely skewed to "3" at 35.8 percent which indicates most are aware only superficially. On the lower two points, "1" and "2", or 29.5 percent are there, while some gaps can be seen. In contrast, only 14.5% rated a "5," which shows complete understanding. Most probably, this is because not everybody has been exposed to information about water caltrops, let alone water caltrop biochar, which itself is not highly discussed or marketed. It could be a very narrow product that applies only in certain academic, agricultural, or environmental sectors; hence, most people are only partially familiar with it. Moreover, the term biochar itself is probably not known to consumers in general, and even if some consumers are aware of biochar, they are probably not aware that it applies to water caltrops in particular. Thus, this brings to the fore the need for targeted education and outreach campaigns in the dissemination of the potential uses and environmental benefits of this product.
The result of Question 8, which asked whether respondents had, at any time in their lives, purchased products from water caltrop biochar shells, further cements the apparent gap between awareness and behavior. A whopping 93.5% replied "no," meaning such products are hardly ever sold. This result should represent an amalgamation of various interrelated factors. For starters, such products are perhaps sold out in very few markets, because water caltrop biochar is far from being a commodity in everyday use. It would also be a hassle to access even for those who are knowledgeable about it—these are not easily available for purchase in all local stores or online malls. Last, since awareness is the take-home message of Question 7, this would likely explain why purchase rates are low; without knowing what benefits the water caltrop biochar product could offer, there is less chance of being asked to purchase it. Therefore, pricing and perceived value may enter the play biochar-based products are costlier than alternatives commonly used, and consumers may not perceive enough value in choosing biochar. Cultural or habit patterns of purchase could also explain the data: "water caltrop biochar" products can be less heavily promoted or culturally associated with common practices and therefore continue to stay out of reach for the average consumer. It would require not only awareness but also improvement in availability, affordability, and marketing strategies to reach a wider audience.
This graph shows the preferred applications of water caltrop biochar shells by the respondents. The top four uses have been highlighted in this graph. Cat litter is the most selected application, by 205 votes, corresponding to 53.1%, probably because biochar is capable of absorbing moisture and odor and can be a very good environmentally friendly material for pet care products. This outcome indicates the strong consumer demand for sustainable replacements for daily goods, especially in pet care. Sharing the second position are chopsticks and diffusing stones, which obtained 150 votes, or 38.9%. The appeal of chopsticks lies in biochar: lightweight, very durable, biodegradable material that can easily reduce waste associated with disposable utensils. The porous nature is further reflected in biochar diffusion stones, which capture and release fragrances well, thus responding to the interest of consumers in natural, long-lasting aroma products for homes or offices.
Teacups come third with 148 votes, or 38.3%, indicating that consumers want green and differently beautiful drinkware. Biochar adds functional value to teacups through insulation, while sustainability is an environmental benefit to the environmentally conscious consumer. Together, these results make biochar versatile in various uses for practical everyday products such as cat litter and chopsticks through wellness and lifestyle products like diffusing stones and teacups—a more holistic reflection of a shift of consumer interest to sustainability and innovative ideas of daily life.
