When Juan Marquez came up with the concept of 1M Agro-Fuel, the aim went beyond traditional business.

Not only did the project need to be profitable, it had to be sustainable, create opportunities for local employment and be in tune with the environment. Juan found the solution among the masses of rotting coconuts polluting the waterways of the Philippines.

“I got the idea because I saw a problem with the coconut shell being left as waste, so I thought of a way to let the disposed coconut shells be useful,” he said. The coconut shells are turned into charcoal fuel briquettes, in the process produce the by-product “liquid smoke”, commonly known as wood vinegar. Wood vinegar improves soil quality, eliminates pests and controls plant growth, among its many other uses. The products are environmentally-friendly in both production and use, are in high demand and are affordable to a wide range of users.

Using coconuts for briquettes ultimately results in fewer forests being destroyed. Over the next three years, 1M plans to recycle 1,000 tonnes of coconut waste.

Mr Marquez’ business idea initially gained support when 1M Agro-Fuel claimed the 2007 Philippine BiD Challenge award, winning 100,000 PHP (€ 1,463.50) to jump start the production process.