Coconut husk collection prior to processing into insulation
Words by Tamara Mekler, Co-founder & COO of Fortuna Cools
In the 21st century, convenience is king, as made evident by the rapid evolution of food delivery over the last few years. This trend accelerated even more quickly following the COVID-19 pandemic. But in an era where environmental consciousness shapes consumer choices and business strategies, the food delivery industry faces a significant challenge: reducing its reliance on plastic packaging.
The surge in demand for delivered meals and perishables has spotlighted the urgent need for sustainable packaging solutions. Traditional packaging materials, particularly plastic foams like Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), have long dominated the market due to their lightweight and cheap price tag. However, their environmental toll is severe, with plastic foams polluting on land and at sea for generations to come. Amidst growing consumer awareness and regulatory pressures, the shift toward eco-friendly alternatives has become imperative.
Fortuna Cools’ introduction of Fortuna Coconut Liners in the Philippines marks a significant advancement in this direction, showcasing the potential of upcycled agricultural waste as a viable solution.
The problem with traditional packaging
The convenience of food delivery services comes at a high environmental cost. Traditional delivery packaging often relies on materials like Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), commonly known as styrofoam, which provides insulation and protection for food, pharmaceuticals, and other sensitive products. However, EPS is a brittle, lightweight plastic foam that easily breaks into small beads that persist in the environment, contributing significantly to landfill waste and marine pollution. Once discarded, EPS can take hundreds of years to decompose.
According to several environmental reports, it is estimated that Styrofoam takes up around 30 percent of landfill space by volume. The production process for EPS also emits greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants, exacerbating its environmental footprint. The solution to the Styrofoam problem is transitioning to alternative materials.
Fortuna Coconut Fiber InsulationTM: A sustainable alternative
Fortuna Cools has tackled this issue head-on by developing a novel insulation material made with natural fibers that keeps ice frozen longer than plastics. This proprietary Fortuna Coconut Fiber InsulationTM is a biomaterial derived from discarded coconut husks. This agricultural by-product, typically considered waste by the coconut industry, offers a promising alternative to EPS. Coconut husks possess natural insulative properties, making them an excellent material for thermal packaging. The company’s proprietary process converts leftover husks into high-performance insulation panels that match EPS in terms of price and longevity, ensuring that food and other perishable goods are kept at optimal temperatures during transit. Fortuna’s process also allows for customization in packaging design, catering to a wide range of delivery needs without sacrificing performance or sustainability.
Fortuna’s Coconut Fiber material has a sustainable impact in two directions: the impact of upcycling the resource used to make the product, and the impact of replacing the plastic alternative. The first part is carbon storage, which represents the amount of carbon that can be stored by preventing the husks from ending up in the burn pile or waste heap. The second part is creating a product that is displacing the plastic alternative and, therefore, avoiding the CO2 emissions from plastic manufacturing. This win-win solution is based on the circular economy model.
A circular economy for materials
The circular economy represents a transformative approach to production and consumption, contrasting sharply with the traditional linear model where materials are extracted, used, and then discarded. This sustainable model emphasizes the reduction, reuse, and recycling of materials to create a closed-loop system, minimizing waste and the environmental impact of production. By keeping resources in use for as long as possible, the circular economy not only conserves natural resources but also reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, promoting a more sustainable and resilient future.
All natural systems around us operate on a circular model, where every element serves a purpose, cycles continuously, and contributes to the health of the ecosystem. In nature, nothing is wasted: leaves that fall nourish the soil, water cycles through evaporation and rainfall, and animals contribute to the life cycle of plants through pollination and seed dispersal. This inherent efficiency in nature is both sustainable and regenerative, ensuring long-term ecological balance.
Fortuna and other circular economy innovators draw inspiration from these natural systems.
As the saying goes, “waste is only waste if you waste it.” So, let’s choose not to.
Advantages of coconut husk insulation
The introduction of coconut husk-based liners is not just a win for the environment but also for the local communities involved in its production. In the Philippines, over 10 billion coconut husks are discarded or burned annually, generating considerable CO2 emissions. By repurposing these husks for insulation, each Fortuna Coconut Liner prevents the emission of approximately 7.5kg of CO2 emissions. Additionally, this initiative provides an extra source of income for small-scale coconut farmers who can sell what was once wasted.
Furthermore, manufacturing these liners at local coconut oil mills has spurred job creation in rural areas, contributing to the economic vitality of these communities. This aligns with broader global goals of sustainable development by promoting economic growth and reducing environmental impact through innovative production practices.
Industry adoption: The role of partnerships
The success of sustainable innovations often hinges on adoption by major industry players. Grab Philippines, a leader in the on-demand delivery service in the region, has partnered with Fortuna Cools on a pilot project, integrating this eco-friendly insulation into their food delivery bags. This partnership not only proved the feasibility and effectiveness of these liners in real-world logistics but also set a precedent for other companies in the industry. By choosing sustainable packaging, companies like Grab can significantly reduce their environmental footprint and enhance their brand image among environmentally conscious consumers. The collaboration demonstrates Grab’s commitment to sustainable practices and positions them as a leader driving industry-wide change and setting a precedent for responsible business practices in Asia and beyond.
Looking forward
While the introduction of Fortuna Coconut Fiber Insulation is a promising development, widespread adoption across the industry will require overcoming several challenges, including scaling production to meet large demands and shifting the perception that sustainable products are necessarily less performant or more expensive. Continued innovation and investment in infrastructure and education are crucial for addressing these challenges.
Moreover, government regulation will play a vital role in the transition to sustainable packaging. Styrofoam and other plastic bans are becoming more common globally and will force businesses to adopt new materials more quickly.
Biomaterials like Fortuna’s Coconut Fiber Insulation are just one solution to a massive plastic waste problem. As demand for delivery services continues to grow, the development and adoption of circular systems and other sustainable practices will be crucial for mitigating environmental impact while meeting customers’ needs. Corporate responsibility and entrepreneurial innovation will have to work hand in hand for environmental stewardship, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
About the Author
Tamara Mekler
Co-founder & COO
Tamara is a Behavioral Biologist with an M.S. from Stanford in Sustainable Development. Before founding Fortuna Cools, Tamara worked in community-based conservation and environmental education in the United States and in her home countries, Spain and Mexico.
This story first came out in our “Sustainability on the Plate: The Power of Food Upcycling” issue.
