Sourcing Coconut Shells from Local Communities Coconut shells are viewed as a waste material, but it is undeniably a valuable resource that can be used in various industries. Aiming to shift this perspective, a growing number of coconut shell supplier companies are now sourcing their materials from local communities. Communities that depend on the coconut industry as their primary source of livelihood, typically reside in coconut-growing regions in the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian countries.