Forest Rebuilding

Benso palm plantation (BOPP) which holds Unilever in Ghana help protect the environment and reduce costs by reusing waste from palm oil processing.

Use waste as fertilizer for our plantations
BOPP cultivate palm oil and extract oil from their fruit processing factory. After processing resulting solid waste (fibers and clusters that have been hanging fruit) and waste water containing nutrients that may be valuable, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Waste water are discharged into water sources, because these nutrients can affect water quality in rivers and lakes.

Instead, sewage is treated and used for fertilizing the plantations, and in this way are significantly reduced fertilizer costs. Nearby streams are tested regularly to detect any leaks in pipes that carry waste water treated on plantations and turned into fertilizer.

We use clusters to improve soil structure and suppress weeds
Clusters of detached fruits that were also rich in nutrients, are scattered under palm trees to improve soil structure and suppress weeds. However, costs involved in transporting these bulky waste are high. Therefore, to reduce these costs is evaluated alternative composting before their distribution.

Recycle fibers and shells, generating electricity
Waste consisting of fiber and peel are used as fuel for boilers that produce steam for electricity generation required and processing palm oil. Excess waste, consisting mainly of palm fruit shells, as fuel is sold to local organizations.

Now look for other recycling opportunities. For example, the shells could be used to produce activated carbon fibers for filling mattresses and ash from boilers could be used for production of paving slabs.

Another project of BOPP for sustainable development
In 1998 were built contoured terraces (whose edges are reinforced with mesh filled with stones to hold water and sediment in water, preventing soil erosion), so that palms can be planted on sloping land (with a slope over 10 degrees). This measure helped improve soil and water conservation, has led to increased yields and easier harvesting. Shaped terraces are common in Southeast Asia, but our project marked the first time you use them extensively in West Africa.