Can Coconuts Replace Plastic Foam Coolers? | World Wide Waste | Business Insider

Summary

In the province of SIU, Philippines, a company has innovatively transformed coconut husks, a byproduct of coconut oil production, into biodegradable insulation for coolers. Traditionally discarded or burned, these husks are now collected from over 250 small farms and processed into a sustainable alternative to plastic foam, which is difficult to recycle and harmful to the environment. The company, Fortuna Cools, was initially motivated to solve a problem for fishermen, who needed a way to keep their catch fresh. The resulting coconut-based insulation is efficient, affordable, and has the potential to replace plastic foam, reducing microplastic pollution and supporting thousands of coconut farmers. Their product, the Nutshell cooler, is made from 37 coconut husks and 50 recycled plastic bottles, and is designed to be collapsible and foldable, aiming to keep ice frozen for up to 48 hours. With over 600,000 coconuts processed and a revenue of over half a million dollars in 2022, Fortuna Cools is not only providing a viable eco-friendly option but also empowering coconut farmers and promoting a circular economy.

Takeaways

• 🌴 In the province of SIU, Philippines, a company has found a way to transform coconut husks into biodegradable insulation for coolers.
• 🔥 Traditionally, coconut husks were often burned or left to rot, creating environmental issues.
• 🚫 Plastic foam, commonly used for insulation, is difficult to recycle and often ends up in waterways, causing pollution.
• 🌱 Coconut insulation is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic foam, with similar insulation properties due to trapped air pockets in the fibers.
• 📏 Coconut trees in the Philippines are harvested every three months, and the husks are now being repurposed instead of discarded.
• 🏭 The Fortuna Cools Factory processes up to three truckloads of whole coconuts a day to create insulation.
• 🌟 The company's director of operations, Julius Bukur, aims to give back to the coconut farming community by utilizing the waste they produce.
• 🧵 The process of making coconut insulation involves drying the husks, crushing and spinning them to loosen fibers, and then sifting and stitching them together.
• 🐟 The initial motivation for the development of coconut coolers was to help fishermen keep their catch fresh without using plastic foam boxes.
• 🌊 The use of plastic foam in the seafood industry poses a threat to marine life and human health due to microplastics and potential carcinogens.
• 💼 Fortuna Cools has pivoted from creating coolers for fishermen to ones for regular consumers, with their Nutshell coolers made from coconut husks and recycled plastic bottles.
• 📈 The company has processed over 600,000 coconuts, generated significant revenue, and aims to help struggling coconut farmers while reducing plastic use.

Q & A

What is the primary use of coconut husks in the province of SIU in the Philippines?

In the province of SIU, a company has found a way to transform coconut husks into biodegradable insulation for coolers, which is an innovative use instead of the traditional methods of burning or leaving them to rot.

What are the issues with using plastic foam in coolers?

Plastic foam used in coolers is problematic because it breaks apart easily, is hard to recycle, and often ends up in waterways, causing environmental pollution.

How often do farmers like Edgardo and Tio harvest their coconut trees?

Farmers like Edgardo and Tio harvest their coconut trees every three months.

What is the process of turning coconut husks into insulation?

The process involves drying the husks for up to a week, then crushing and spinning them in a decorticating machine to loosen the fibers. The fibers are then sifted to remove dust, layered, stitched together, and fused using a hydraulic press before being cut to size.

How did the founders of Fortuna Cools initially approach the problem of keeping fish fresh for fishermen?

The founders initially used plastic to create the first batch of coolers. However, they found that plastic broke easily and was not durable, leading them to prototype with coconut husks as a more sustainable material.

Why are coconut fibers a good alternative to plastic foam for insulation?

Coconut fibers have many trapped air pockets, which provide natural insulating capacity similar to expanded polystyrene foam, also known as styrofoam. This makes them an effective and eco-friendly alternative.

What is the impact of microplastics from broken-down plastic foam on the marine ecosystem?

Microplastics can be consumed by fish, where they remain in the digestive system, inhibiting growth and food consumption, potentially leading to death. This disrupts the fish population cycle and can also pose a danger to humans who consume the fish, as microplastics can penetrate human organs and destroy red blood cells.

How does the use of coconut husks benefit the coconut farmers?

By providing a market for coconut husks, which were previously discarded or burned, the coconut farmers gain an additional source of income, thus improving their economic situation.

What are the key features of Fortuna's nutshell coolers?

The nutshell coolers are designed to be collapsible and foldable, making them convenient for storage and transportation. They are made with 37 coconut husks for insulation and 50 recycled plastic bottles for the outer liner material.

What is the current status of Fortuna Cools' efforts to replace plastic foam with coconut insulation?

Fortuna Cools has processed over 600,000 coconuts, generated over half a million dollars in revenue in 2022, and is working with seafood suppliers in the Philippines to replace styro boxes with coconut ones. They are also marketing their nutshell coolers to regular consumers.

What is the company's goal regarding the development of a completely biodegradable cooler?

Fortuna Cools aims to improve the design of their coolers to make them completely biodegradable. They are currently using recycled polyester as a liner and are actively researching a natural liner that could match the sustainability of coconut fiber.

How long can Fortuna's nutshell coolers keep ice frozen?

Fortuna's nutshell coolers are claimed to keep ice frozen for up to 48 hours.