Zero-waste Month got a big boost from the Second Philippine-Japan Environment Week, where the homegrown innovation called pinyapel or paper made from discarded pineapple leaves was on the spotlight.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Japan’s Minister of Environment Kobayashi Fumiaki and other Filipino and Japanese delegates to the event held at the Dusit Thani Manila in Makati City on 13 to 15 January personally saw the different food containers, paper cups and packaging made from pinyapel.

Developed in 2018 by the Design Center of the Philippines under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bukidnon pineapple plantation Nature’s Fresh, researchers and product developers, pinyapel was launched the following year and won the Wood Pencil award at the D&AD Future Impact Awards for its sustainable concept and design.

Pineapple leaves are abundant in the Philippines and turning it into paper became the solution to recycling the agricultural waste. Moreover, the biodegradable product is a timely alternative to plastic packaging and food containers that are polluting the environment and the oceans.

Pineapple farmers also benefit from pinyapel as they can now earn by selling agricultural waste. Northern Mindanao and Soccskargen regions produce about 20 metric tons of the waste daily.

Meanwhile, the Second Philippine-Japan Environment Week opens up more business opportunity for pinyapel as enterprises seek ways to contribute in reducing plastic waste and adopt best practices in sustainability.

The event aims to facilitate understanding of environmental and related challenges and identify potential opportunities for cooperation between the Philippines and Japan in the growing green business, with a view to building a decarbonized and resilient society.

Beyond waste management, the pinyapel innovation takes on the bigger role of advancing the circular economy by enabling investments in such eco-friendly technology.