Banana paper protects potatoes from parasites.
After harvesting, potato stems are often burned, since they are hard to compost and unsuitable as animal feed or fertiliser. A London-based startup has recognised their value.
In their patent-pending process, fibres are extracted from stems using biological and mechanical processes and spun into yarn. Like cotton, linen or synthetic fibre, it can be processed to make clothes. The yarn is compostable and easy to recycle.
This circular economy approach can create new income streams for farmers and cover 70% of the demand for natural fibres, without the need for additional land. To say nothing of the drastically reduced water and chemical consumption.
Banana tree waste or pineapple plant leaves are equally in vogue.Â
