Dole Japan Turns Unsellable Bananas into Charcoal
turning unsellable bananas into charcoal. The company aims to make this banana-based fuel commercially available for barbecues and other leisure activities by early 2025.
This initiative stems from the strict standards of Japanese consumers, who often reject bananas with blemishes, bruises, or larger sizes, regardless of their taste. This results in Dole Japan discarding a staggering 20,000 tons of bananas annually.
To combat this waste, Dole Japan launched the Mottainai Banana Project in 2021, collaborating with producers and other entities to utilize these discarded bananas for drinks and confectionery. In 2023, the project successfully recycled about 900 tons of bananas, and aims to increase that figure to 5,000 tons within a few years.
The commercialization of banana charcoal is the latest addition to this project. While burnt bananas are already used in the Philippines for soil improvement, Dole Japan sees potential in using them as a readily available fuel source. Banana charcoal ignites quickly and can be used for humidity control and deodorization, although it burns shorter than ordinary charcoal.
Dole Japan, a subsidiary of trading house Itochu Corp., is confident that this innovative approach will not only reduce food waste but also provide a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative fuel source. The company plans to sell the banana charcoal at select retailers and online shopping sites as early as spring 2025, pending the completion of necessary preparations.