Forest
River
Ecosystem
Community
Making Paper from Discarded Banana Stems
A background to the increasing use of banana paper successfully produced and sold using traditional Japanese paper techniques
MIYAZAWA CO., LTD.
(Tokyo Metropolis)
Overview
MIYAZAWA CO., LTD., which was founded in 1950, has the largest share in the school supplies market in Japan. The company’s current focus is on the banana paper business.
Banana paper is made from the fibers of banana stems that are discarded from organic banana fields in Zambia. Meanwhile, in order to make a living, people in rural areas of Zambia risk turning to illegal deforestation and poaching. This has also been contributing to environmental destruction and adverse effects on ecosystems. In order to improve this situation, more than the usual donations is necessary. Against this backdrop, fair trade is considered to be essential because it supports regional independence by creating jobs.
In the business of making banana paper in Japan, banana stem fibers are extracted by local people in Zambia under fair trade principles and sent to Japan. Thus, by manufacturing high-quality paper using traditional Japanese paper-making techniques and flexibly responding to domestic needs in Japan, such as need for paper for school awards and wrapping paper for companies, etc., this initiative has succeeded in creating many jobs locally in Zambia.
Successful outcomes (Japan)
- Total sales of banana paper were 31 million yen in FY2022, with 1% of that amount being donated locally in Zambia.
- MIYAZAWA sold 6,146 certificates, 6,640 certificate holders, and 767 certificate cases using banana paper in FY2022.
- MIYAZAWA succeeded in developing products with paper raw material composition ratios of 5%, 20%, and 25% banana paper fiber respectively.
Successful outcomes (Zambia)
- The banana paper project employs 23-30 local people each season. Employees receive a living wage based on World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) principles that includes multiple benefits, such as insurance, bonuses, paid education, and micro-credit loans.
- Over 1,300 people in the same area are benefiting from the banana paper project, including 60 small-scale banana farmers.
- In line with fair trade principles, the banana paper project provides free breakfasts and lunches and provides mosquito nets, solar lights, and medical support such as transport to hospital.
Miyazawa's transformation: Bringing banana paper into more widespread use in Japan
The banana paper project was originally kick-started by the sustainability specialized Japanese-Swedish company—One Planet Café Ltd. After that, in 2013, printing and paper product companies in Japan that supported the banana paper concept came together to form the One Planet Paper® Council.
At MIYAZAWA CO., LTD., Senior Managing Director Mr. Masahiro MIYAZAWA says that he decided to participate in this business despite the risk of his company going bankrupt. With the cooperation of a like-minded washi paper mill in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, after 2–3 years of trial and error, MIYAZAWA succeeded in creating high-quality banana paper. The production process for both banana paper and Japanese washi paper uses 50% less water, energy, and chemicals than regular paper, making the papermaking process more environmentally friendly.
Mr. Miyazawa recalls that it was a big challenge to popularize the product in Japan. He comments: “I spoke to potential buyers all over Japan, but at first it wasn’t possible to secure any customers. There were issues with quality, and the price was high. At that time, regular printer paper cost 1 yen per sheet, but banana paper cost 40 yen. The reaction was ‘Who would use such expensive paper?'” But thanks to increases in orders for banana paper fiber, it became possible to improve steps in the supply chain, and as of 2023, the price has been reduced to 5 to 10 yen per sheet.
After enthusiastic sales promotions, large companies such as a major auto company and LUSH began using banana paper. Banana paper is also being used for school graduation certificates across Japan, and its usage is spreading. Banana paper is now even being highlighted in Japanese high school textbooks as a good example of international partnership for sustainability. Mr. Miyazawa says that, meeting a diversity of people and the new partnerships that he gains through the project mean more to him than financial profits.
He comments further: “The important thing is to understand the background to the products that we are dealing with. If we can’t do that, we won’t be able to judge what’s right. That’s why, as a company, we are committed to making all of our raw materials transparent and to responsibly communicating the details to society.”
Currently, at the production site in Zambia, improvements are being made to the working environment, and vegetable cultivation is carried out; thus the quality of life for employees has clearly improved. In the future, MIYAZAWA plans to switch all the paper that it handles to banana paper. As demand for banana paper increases, the manufacturing cost will decrease, making it possible to provide the product at an even lower price. Mr. Miyazawa comments further: “I want more people to use banana paper and to relay even more positive impact.”
Banana paper
MIYAZAWA CO., LTD.
https://www.miyazawa-kk.jp/banana_paper/
