Kokoboard is turning trash into cash and alleviating rural poverty by upcycling agricultural waste products into building materials and trendy products.
In Asia, more than 24 million tons of agricultural waste are produced every year, and are mostly incinerated, releasing carbon to the atmosphere. Kokoboard has instead found a use for such waste streams, turning coconut husks, peanut shells, and rice straw into construction boards, sequestering more than 200 tons of CO₂ annually. Based on a mission to improve social and economic well-being locally, as well as protect the environment on which we depend, Kokoboard is also upcycling its products further into trendy lifestyle and homeware goods. In addition, the company sells the plans for its machinery, allowing others to replicate its good work.
This solution was featured in the Construction in Progress market of the 2018 Global Opportunity Report, and was selected based on the criteria of that report.
How the Global Goals are addressed
No poverty
Farmers who produce a great deal of agricultural waste can improve their economic well-being by selling their waste to companies for upcycling.
Responsible consumption and production
Kokoboard is transforming the concept of waste for farmers in the region, demonstrating the value in a circular approach to resources, promoting a more responsible production.
Life on land
Southeast Asia loses 1% of its forests every year, leading to significant biodiversity loss. Kokoboard removes one driver of deforestation by providing alternatives to timber.
Partnerships for the goals
Kokoboard is working with farmers to show the value of their waste streams, tackling SDG 12 in partnership.
Kokoboard
Kokoboard is a group of people who started the idea of using agricultural waste to make bio-composite board in Thailand. They make wood-substitute board from agricultural residues i.e. rice straw, grass, rice husk, peanut shell, and coconut dust.
Global Goals addressed
