Environment Mottainai Banana: turning imperfect bananas into charcoal

thomas

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Some 60 Japanese companies are working to reduce food waste by repurposing imperfect bananas that would otherwise be discarded. Dole Japan Inc., a leading producer and distributor of fruits and vegetables, is at the forefront of this initiative and has recently introduced "banana charcoal" as a new product.

Burning banana charcoals

Burning banana charcoals (photo credit: Dole Japan)


Japan imports approximately 1 million metric tons of bananas annually. Dole Japan, which manages between 200,000 and 250,000 tons annually, reports that around 20,000 tons of bananas are discarded in landfills each year in the Philippines, a key supplier, because they fail to meet commercial standards. Reasons include blemished peel, unusual sizes, or irregular shapes.

In response, Dole Japan launched the "Mottainai Banana" project in 2021. The Japanese term "mottainai" translates to "regrettable wastefulness." More than 60 companies in the confectionery, bakery and other industries have joined, processing imperfect bananas into products such as juice, ice cream and sweets. In fiscal 2024, approximately 2,000 tons of these bananas were reportedly converted into various items. Banana charcoal, newly commercialised by Dole Japan in April, draws inspiration from the practice in the Philippines of carbonising imperfect bananas for fertiliser. Although its burn time is relatively short at about 30 minutes, it is lighter and easier to ignite than typical charcoal, making it suitable for starting barbecues. It is also easy to break up and dispose of after use, making it user-friendly.



 
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