In the Philippines, researchers have developed paper from waste pineapple leaves that can be used to produce coffee cups, paper bags, boxes and packaging.
Dubbed Pinyapel, the innovation helps prevent deforestation and provides added value for the region’s many pineapple farmers. The material is also water-resistant.
Pinyapel was developed by Design Center of the Philippines, Cagayan de Oro Handmade Papercraft, Nature’s Fresh and IdeaTechs Packaging and won the 2019 Wood Pencil from D&AD Future Impact.
Design Center’s Rolyn Lomosco tells Green Queen the consortium is working to make Pinyapel “commercially and industrially available.” The Philippines is the second-largest producer of pineapple globally.