One-line solution summary.
Waste banana trunk once converted through the Fibertext technology, can be used as a natural replacement for single-use plastic food packaging, bioplastic feedstock, fertilizers and other agricultural products.
Elevator pitch
What is your solution?
The Fibertext process uses a renewable, biodegradable, natural fibre source – banana tree trunk – that is fully sustainable and does not contribute to the destruction of natural or purpose-planted forests. It is a chemical-free process that does not consume any chemicals or water during manufacturing. Time is coming for the green printers, in which only papers that are environmentally friendly or green paper will be used. Banana paper is 300 times stronger than normal wood pulp paper. Moreover, banana paper is waterproof and retains its integrity even when wet and has fire-resistant qualities. Since the paper does not burn easily this makes it suitable for use in the product packaging, One billion tonnes of banana stem can generate 100 million tonnes of paper. Apart from the safe utilization of stem, it will also generate additional income. It will also reduce the deterioration of forests, energy, natural resources, waste and pollution.
What specific problem are you trying to solve?
At present, the banana stem are dumped on road side or burnt which causes environmental pollution. Conventional paper use toxic chemicals, huge amount of fresh water is require during manufacture, it also generates effluent and landfill water is created, it also use maximum amount of energy, natural resources, which creates more waste as compared to banana paper.
Who does your solution serve? In what ways will the solution impact their lives?
The project targets the improvement of the lives of rural farmers. At present, the farmers only get a one-time payment from the sale of fruit the pseudo is left on the roadside. Providing an extra income to this underserved community through purchasing banana stacks to make green paper improves their livelihood.
The project ensures agri-circularity while at the same time saving the planet by preventing use of plastic packaging and wood packaging alternatives which contribute to deforestation.
What steps have you taken to understand the needs of the population you want to serve?
I experienced this need while I was growing and it served as my motivator towards majoring in chemistry and providing the solution. I grew up in a small town in Bungoma, Kenya just next to a factory that used to make packaging bags from wood and plastics. We were exposed to various fumes and deforestation which still has diverse effects up to today. I have done intensive research as well as tested the product to the potential users who love it and use it in day to day packaging
Which aspects of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
Taking action to combat climate change and its impacts (Sustainability)
Our solution's stage of development:
Growth: An organization with an established product, service, or business model rolled out in at least one community, which is poised for further growthExplain why you selected this stage of development for your solution—in other words, what have you accomplished to date?
I have chosen growth because fibertext enterprise has already researched, tested and produced green paper packaging . We have solved green paper to more than five communities around. More than 1000 customers have used our products with many returning and referal.
Where our solution team is headquartered or located:
Bungoma, KenyaTeam Lead:
Rose machuma Sikulu
Which of the following categories best describes your solution?
A new technologyDescribe the core technology that powers your solution.
We use the patent new technology to make green papers from biodegradable banana fibers. The technology is new because no chemicals are used during the conversion of banana fibers to papers.
Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:
In which countries do you currently operate?
How many people does your solution currently serve, and how many do you plan to serve in the next year? If you haven’t yet launched your solution, tell us how many people you plan to serve in the next year.
Currently we buy banana pseodo stems from over 1000 farmers in rural setting.
We have been able to reach 5000 customers across the country and we are looking to increasing to a million customers across the globe next year. We would also wish to be able to impact over 10,000 farmers in the process through puchasing banana pseodo stems.
What are your impact goals for the next year, and how will you achieve them?
We aim at improving the livelihood of farmes while reducing the tracing of co2. Fibertext enterprise buys raw material which are banana pseodo stem from farmers . The banana pseodo stem was initially thrown away after the harvest of the banana fruit, but currently the farmers can get extra income.
The decaying of the banana pseodo stem produces carbon gas which is dangerous. Also producing green paper saves our environment by preventing the use of sythetic plastic papers and wood based products which causes deforestation.
How are you measuring your progress or planning to measure your progress toward your impact goals?
We measure our impact by seeing farmers living good life, taking their children to school and also taking three meals for the day.
The change on the climate indicates the reduction of co2 in the environment. Reduction of use of plastic is also an indicator
What barriers currently exist for you to accomplish your goals in the next year?
We are facing financial barrier currently.
After getting our paper the folding process is done manually due to lack of finances to purchase automatic paper maker. This has made the process to be a little bit slower.
At the same time we do depend on the sun to dry our pulp which is majorly affected b y different seasons.
How many people work on your solution team?
5 full time, 3 part time
How long have you been working on your solution?
10month
How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?
Our team is made up of people of different promotion. I myself I'm the CEO, teacher by profession majoring in chemistry . Through interactions with chemical I have learned how to produce chemical free products. Again the psychology learned in my field help me able to handle suppliers customers and distributors.
Every ones experience in our team has really helped our organization to sour higher. The experience in environmental field, accounts, receptionist and crafters among our team helped us during implementing the solution
What organizations do you currently partner with, if any? How are you working with them?
Kenya Climate Innovation Centre
Providing legal and business Advice
Do you qualify for and would you like to be considered for The HP Girls Save the World Prize? If you select Yes, explain how you are qualified for the prize in the additional question that appears.
YesIf you selected Yes, explain how you are qualified for this prize. How will your team use The HP Girls Save the World Prize to advance your solution?
Fibertext is a social enterprise which deals with processing papers from banana fibers. In our country most of the people who are farmers in rural areas are women . Through purchase of the banana pseodo stem we create an extra income for this women.
At the same Fibertext enterprise is led by a woman and majority of wom
Solution Team
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Solution Name
Green Paper packaging bag