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Introduction

The document discusses the development of Saba Agrocellulosic Char as a sustainable alternative to traditional charcoal, utilizing banana pseudostems, peels, and paper waste in Sto. Tomas City, Batangas. It highlights the environmental issues caused by conventional charcoal production, such as deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, while emphasizing the potential of biomass waste to create eco-friendly fuel solutions. This initiative aims to address both waste management and energy needs for low-income households in rural areas, promoting circular waste management and reducing reliance on wood-based charcoal.

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4 views3 pages

Introduction

The document discusses the development of Saba Agrocellulosic Char as a sustainable alternative to traditional charcoal, utilizing banana pseudostems, peels, and paper waste in Sto. Tomas City, Batangas. It highlights the environmental issues caused by conventional charcoal production, such as deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, while emphasizing the potential of biomass waste to create eco-friendly fuel solutions. This initiative aims to address both waste management and energy needs for low-income households in rural areas, promoting circular waste management and reducing reliance on wood-based charcoal.

Uploaded by

guillanclarete001
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Developing Saba Agrocellulosic Char: A sustainable Alternative Charcoal from

Musa paradisiaca Pseudostem, Peels, and Paper Waste in Sto. Tomas City Batangas

Introduction

In many countries, such as the Philippines, where it is essential for small-scale business and cooking,
charcoal is the one of the most often utilized home fuels. However, traditional charcoal manufacturing
solely relies on wood which contributes to deforestation and habitat loss because wood for fuel is
frequently extracted from forests in an unsustainable manner. Significant greenhouse gases are also
released during the process such as carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) that
are harmful to human health and ecosystem. Additionally, cutting down trees to make charcoal can
deteriorate the soil, decreasing fertility and increasing erosion (IERE, 2023). As a result, researchers noted
that turning biomass waste like banana peels into alternative fuels promotes the creation of sustainable
energy solutions while also lessening the environmental impact of conventional fossil fuels (Salvador,
E.T. et al., 2025).

Charcoal is considered to be one of the most accessible fuels in rural areas of the Philippines, especially to
low-income households that have limited access to LPG or electricity because it is more affordable and
locally available. Due to this fact, surveys recorded that around 55% of rural households depend on
charcoal for daily cooking, emphasizing that modern fuels are less accessible. With a strong domestic
consumption, rural communities alone consume thousands of metric tons annually, driven by local
commerce and cooking essentials (Sanjeev, 2024).

Another environmental and economic problem of the Philippines is banana and paper waste. Large
volumes of leaves, rejected fruits, peels, and stems are produced by bananas that mostly occur in local
turon and banana que businesses which are frequently burned or disposed of, resulting in pollution and the
waste of potential resources (Interaksyon, 2026). Paper in the Philippines is recorded to be the second
most produced waste in the country that accounts for around 19% of municipal solid waste, however a
large portion of it ends up in landfills due to inadequate segregation and low recycling rates, which
increases environmental costs (WADEF, 2025).

Sto. Tomas City, Batangas is also one of the cities that faces solid wastes and environmental problems in
the Philippines. While most people still relies on wood charcoal that contributes to deforestation and air
pollution, banana peels can be a byproduct of local banana consumption and nearby agricultural
production due to its abundance and high lignocellulosic biomass content, making it more suitable for
alternative charcoal (Zulueta, M. et al., 2022) In addition, paper waste from homes and businesses is
easily accessible and can be used as a binder or additional fuel source (Abando, J.R. et al., 2021) which
then lessens the impact on the environment and encouraging circular waste management in the city, using
these wastes can offer a cheap, sustainable fuel choice rather than wood-based charcoals.
References:
​
[Link]
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[Link]
oal_Food_Waste_BriquettesFor_Energy_And_Environmental_Conservation​
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[Link]

[Link]
filipino-innovator-turning-waste-work/

[Link]
Work_Results.pdf

[Link]
ata_M_balbisiana_Peel_as_a_Charcoal_Substitute

[Link]
s-banana-peels-briquettes-as-alternative-charcoal/132779757

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