How It Works

UPDATE - We just added How Banana Paper is made (with pictures)!

Alternative agricultural fibers provide a secondary source for paper content rather than being derived from trees. Using agricultural by –products helps us achieve environmentally friendly goals. Alternative fiber solves the problem of what to do with agricultural waste. In the case of banana fiber, the ‘pinzote’, or banana stalk, isn’t part of the fruit nor is it a permanent part of the living tree. Typically, this banana stalk was casually disposed of into the landfills and rivers where it oxidizes and harm the local eco system. Using ‘pinzotes’ as a secondary fiber source offers a solution to the thousands of tons of waste that is left to rot and oxidize after each banana harvest. In Costa Rica alone, 230,000 tons of these banana stalks are disposed of annually. The partnership between the agricultural industry and the paper industry makes sense economically and ecologically. The result is a vast variety of environmentally friendly paper, stationary, school supplies and office accessories that assist in conservation of wildlife and natural resources.