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According to many coconut buyers and sellers, they have realized that large production of coconut oil wastes may effect from high oil extraction technologies or low oil extraction in oil manufacturing companies. All these types have their uses and characteristics.
Screw press waste
This is the main production waste people believe is created by extracting oil from copra using a screw press. It contains fiber, meat residue, and moisture. It is commonly used to produce low-quality coconut meal or flakes. It can also be used for animal feed, mainly because it has some nutrients that preserve the husk's fiber, which is not digested by the coconut eaters.
Hydraulic press waste
People who use hydraulic presses to extract oil from coconut meat also produce this kind of waste. It is said to contain more oil compared to the screw press waste, but it is drier than the fermentation pit. It contains about 5% to 10% oil in it but can contain up to 30% oil in high-quality coconuts. This type of waste is used to produce low-quality coconut meal or flakes. They can also be used in making animal feed, especially in regions where dogs are kept and the meal is used to feed pups.
Expeller press waste
This waste is also called copra meal or cake. It is produced when oil is extracted from dried coconut meat (copra) using an expeller or screw press. This waste is usually in the form of a thick solid residue. The oil content may vary, but it usually contains about 5% to 10% residual oil. Most companies producing this waste sell it to farmers for use as animal feed. Others sell it to manufacturers producing low-quality coconut flakes and meals.
Virgin coconut oil (VCO) production waste
People who prepare VCO through the wet or dry methods contribute to producing this kind of waste. The wet method involves fermenting grated coconut meat to extract water. Then, the meat is left to dry. This is where VCO and water the VCO producers use goes to. The dry method involves drying coconut flesh and then using a machine to extract oil. The remaining pulp after fermentation or drying is known as VCO production waste. Many people still believe that this pulp contains many nutrients because it is too fresh. It can also be used as animal feed or in the making of low-quality coconut meal.
Based on the discussions and the list provided above, all the types of coconut oil waste can be recycled and reused in different ways. The same goes for the potential uses of their by-products. Over time, they have been finding innovative ways to use or upcycle these wastes to reduce disposal issues, reduce pollution, and add value to the waste that has been thrown away.
Coconut meal or flake production
People use most coconut oil waste to produce coconut meal or flakes. They mainly use expeller press waste or copra meal/cake in making coconut flour. They grind it and use it to produce coconut meal. However, some companies may make low-quality meal or flakes from the screw press and hydraulic press wastes.
Coconut oil cake briquettes
Many manufacturers produce briquettes for cooking or grilling using waste from hydraulic and VCO production methods. Since the waste is high in fiber, they are usually compressed together to form cohesive briquettes, which upon burning, give a long-lasting and clean-burning flame.
Coconut shell charcoal
Coconut shells are used to produce normal charcoal. The same goes for the charcoal produced from coconut oil waste, which is modified and processed to produce cooking and grilling briquettes. Some manufacturers may process cheap coconut oil and use it to produce charcoal.
Organic fertilizers
Coconut oil waste is rich in fiber and nutrients like nitrogen and potassium, which makes it suitable for making organic fertilizers. Users apply the fertilizer on their seedlings and plants to increase their growth, health results, and quality. Most producers usually add other ingredients like coffee grounds, eggshells, or kitchen waste to improve the nutrient composition of the organic fertilizer.
Animal feed
People add coconut oil waste into animal feed as a source of fiber and to reduce the cost of food. Coconut meal, cake, or flakes from different sources are used to make feeding supplements for animals like cows, goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry. Some producing companies add the leftover in food meant for dogs because the fiber can be difficult for the digesting coconut eaters.
Coconut husk ropes and mats
Coconut fibers extracted from husks are then used in making ropes, mats, and other products. The demand for these products is too high, which also prompts the demand for their waste. Many manufacturers use waste from different oil extraction methods and even fiber processing companies.
A buyer's checklist ensures that all important factors are considered when purchasing coconut oil waste. The following checklists guide the buyer through the selection process.
Coconut oil waste type
Coconut oil waste is produced from various oil extraction methods, such as the screw press, hydraulic press, expeller press, and virgin coconut oil production. The type of coconut oil waste a buyer chooses determines the quality and nutrient content of the final product they want to buy or invest in. For instance, screw press waste has lower nutrients because it is drier, while VCO production waste has higher nutrients because it is fresher and used immediately after processing.
Coconut oil waste quality
All the coconut oil wastes come with different qualities. That is why when buying, look for ones with high-quality raw materials. For instance, copra made from matured coconut has low quality, and farmers who use the same old tree for many years to harvest coconuts also contribute to low-quality copra. Find coconut oil waste that has quality noted colors and smells and feels good. They should also contain a suitable nutrient and particle size for intended uses.
Supplier reputation
Buyers need to do research about suppliers to ensure they are purchasing honest coconut oil wastes. Some suppliers may mix their customers' oil press wastes with other wastes, which can be harmful to some uses. Good suppliers provide documents to show where they got the oil press waste and how they produced it. They also provide info about past performance and test reports and samples.
Shipping and delivery arrangement
Coconut oil waste can be bulky, and they pack it in large quantities, so buyers have to consider shipping and delivery arrangements before purchasing. They also have to think about shipping costs and time. They opt for suppliers who can deliver on time and have good shipping costs.
Regulatory compliance
When buying coconut oil waste, buyers also need to ensure that all their used and intended-by products comply with environmental rules and regulations. That means considering how the waste will be disposed of after usage.
Based on the analysis above, it can be seen that sustainability has come into the picture since people started using coconut oil and its waste. Waste producers and consumers have to find sustainable ways to reduce pollution and coconut oil waste they throw away.
Reduce coconut oil waste
To achieve waste reduction, coconut producers should implement strategies to minimize the generation of both solid and liquid coconut waste. They should try as much as possible to use every part of the coconut or find uses for discarding pieces. This will help reduce the environmental impact of disposal.
Promote circular economy
The coconut producers and the people who buy the oil waste should work together to promote a circular economy. It is where coconut waste is continuously recycled, giving it value and nutrient every time it is recycled. For instance, the same coconut husk used to produce coconut rope can later be used to produce organic fertilizer after sometime.
Low environmental impact production system
Coconut producers should use modern practices that do not harm the environment and waste little or nothing while trying to meet the high demand for coconuts and their products. They should avoid the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers and stop clearing large areas of forests. They should only plant coconuts in the right areas and in more sustainable ways like intercropping or in agroforestry systems.
Community benefits
The coconut producers and oil waste buyers should work together to ensure local communities who produce and buy coconuts benefit from the industry. They should help empower women who have been left to do the coconut's job to fend for themselves and support the education of their children. They should also improve the lives of coconut farmers by providing them with better healthcare and schooling kids and improving the roads for transportation and communication.
Selling and buying coconut oil waste as an affordable renewable resource
Many people consider coconut oil waste a renewable resource because it is a waste that can be reused. Buyers should look for it and integrate it into their normal lives for free. Both the coconut producers and the buyers should work on increasing the demand for the waste so that it can be covered for all its costs.
A1. The oil wastes are produced during the oil extraction process. Different methods of oil extraction produce different types of wastes. For instance, the screw press produces waste with less nutrient, while the VCO production waste contains more nutrients.
A2. The oil waste can be reused to produce coconut meals, cakes, or flakes. Other uses include producing briquettes (with or without modifying the oil waste), organic fertilizers, animal feed, ropes, and mats.
A3. The coconut oil waste quality a buyer gets depends on the oil extraction method used and the quality of the raw materials used. How long the producers take to process the coconut oil waste also affects its quality.
A4. Buyers should consider coconut oil waste type, quality, and sustainability when buying them. They also need to verify the reputation of the supplier and make shipping and delivery arrangements.
