Pineapple production in the Philippines creates a huge amount of discarded pineapple leaves, which are often burned as a waste product, adding to the large amounts of farming waste in the country. As the world searches for viable alternatives to single-use plastics, Pinyapel, a new form of paper, could potentially be used for recyclable packaging, such as drink cups, sleeves and packing paper.

This project by Rolyn Lomocso, Senior Researcher at the Design Center of the Philippines, transforms a waste product into a useful commodity. “Our biggest objective is really to help the lives of the farmers here in the Philippines. We want to realise the success of this project,” says Lomosco. “One of the farmers has already shared the story that through our initiative they have seen an increase in their income.”

While the focus is currently on farmers in the Philippines the potential wider impact for other farming communities around the world could be enormous. How much of what we threw away could in fact be used? The product is in the process of being expanded ahead of a big awareness campaign. Mentored by Kwame Taylor-Hayford through the D&AD Impact Council, Lomocso will push Pinyapel forward for further development.

The project is not only sustainable but its path invention provides learnings for those trying to fight the climate emergency the world over. Taylor-Hayford states how ahead of the curve he feels the Design Centre of the Philippines’s approach is and how pleased he is to have been able to help with the development of the brand. “We are further developing Pinyapel and its derivatives, exploring how it can be developed in different contexts aside from just being paper and packaging. It can also be a textile or floorboards and more,” Lomocso reveals. “We want more from Pinyapel, not just as a replacement but as a pivotal kind of innovation.”