Pinyapel: locally-made specialty paper from discarded pineapple leaves

Summary

Interest Fresh, a Philippine pineapple producer, transforms agricultural waste from pineapple plantations into sustainable, handmade paper. By utilizing 300 hectares of pineapple leaves, they not only reduce waste but also create additional revenue for farmers. The project, supported by the Design Center of the Philippines, showcases Filipino values of compassion and circular design, promoting a sustainable future.

Takeaways

• 🍍 Interest Fresh produces fresh pineapples on approximately 300 hectares of plantation.
• 🌱 They noticed the potential of pineapple leaves to be more than just organic fertilizer.
• 🌐 The company is environmentally conscious and aims for sustainable operations.
• 👕 Barong Tagalog, a traditional Filipino garment, can be made from pineapple leaf fibers.
• 🌾 The project addresses agricultural waste from pineapple plantations, a major export of the Philippines.
• 💼 The initiative provides additional livelihood and revenue opportunities for farmers.
• 🔄 The project maximizes the output from pineapple farms by creating a new material from waste.
• 📄 Pina papel is the handmade paper produced from pineapple leaves, emphasizing cleanliness and quality.
• 🔬 The process involves size reduction, pulping, and paper sheet formation from discarded pineapple leaves.
• 🎨 The Design Center of the Philippines collaborated to promote sustainability and Filipino values.
• 🌐 The project showcases a circular design approach, focusing on what can be given back to the soil.

Q & A

What is the primary product of Ananas Fresh?

Ananas Fresh is a producer of fresh pineapples.

How many hectares of pineapple plantation does Ananas Fresh have?

Ananas Fresh has about 300 hectares of pineapple plantation.

What is the purpose of using pineapple leaves for compost in Ananas Fresh's farms?

The purpose is to explore the potential of pineapple leaves beyond being just organic fertilizer and to be more environmentally conscious.

What inspired Ananas Fresh to consider pineapple leaves for more than just waste?

The inspiration came from the fact that the material of pineapple leaves could be used to make barong Tagalog, a traditional Filipino garment.

What is the agricultural waste addressed by the project?

The project addresses the waste from hectares of pineapple plantations, which is one of the Philippines' biggest exports.

What are the benefits of the project for the farmers?

The project provides additional livelihood and revenue opportunities for the farmers by maximizing the output of pineapple farms.

What is the role of Pina Pel in the project?

Pina Pel's role is to produce handmade paper from the discarded pineapple leaves.

How is the pineapple leaf paper produced?

The production process involves size reduction of discarded pineapple leaves, pulping, reinforcement with a solution, and then forming paper sheets.

What is unique about the raw material of Pina Pel paper?

The raw material for Pina Pel paper comes from locally gathered waste from pineapple plantations.

How does the project align with the company's sustainability goals?

The project aligns with the company's sustainability goals by upcycling agricultural waste into useful products and promoting a circular design approach.

What is the significance of the project in terms of Filipino values and global design discourse?

The project showcases Filipino values of compassion and care for the earth, and it provides a unique voice and design perspective in the global discourse of sustainable design.