Innovations Item Code: IN-2024-2100541
Sector: Environmental sustainability/Circular economy
Description:
The innovation lies in the use of banana pseudo stem as the primary raw material for the production of biodegradable disposable plate of standard quality as an alternative/replacement for Styrofoam based food packaging. The production process involves:
- Sourcing and processing of banana pseudo stem in preparation for digestion. The processing includes washing, cutting, crushing, and drying.
- Preparation of cooking liquor and the digestion of the processed raw material to remove lignin.
- Filtration and washing to recover black/spent liquor and obtain clean banana pseudo stem pulp.
- Mixing pulp with cassava starch and additives to obtain slurry.
- Molding of slurry into the desired article
Stage of Innovation: Proof of Concept (You have created something to show the innovation can work)
Problem:
This innovation aims to provide a solution to the environmental pollution caused by the production and disposal of Styrofoam and plastic based food packaging materials in Nigeria.
Unique Selling Point: In response to the growing ban on Styrofoam in various states across the country, non-biodegradable plastic disposable plates and washable plates are being adopted as a replacement for Styrofoam based food packaging. The solution being proposed here involves the production of disposable plates from agro waste (banana pseudo stem). Unlike the other alternative packaging materials being adopted, the disposable plates made from banana pseudo stem are biodegradable and made from a primary raw material which is readily available locally. In terms of production and disposal, our solution is more eco friendly compared to the other alternatives being adopted and will not lead to environmental pollution as it would decompose in land fills.