The Coconut Tree A Zero Waste Tree

Is there such a thing as a zero-waste product? There are precious few products that truly have zero waste.

The Coconut tree is one of the best examples of a natural product which produces very little waste at all, as every part of the tree has a use. Coconut tree farming is 100% sustainable and is a great natural resource which produces exciting coconut products.

 What Makes The Humble Coconut Special?

Every single coconut is packed with a host of minerals and nutrients. The sap from the coconut flower blossom (also known as a ‘Spadix’) from which the coconut is formed, contains a wide range of amino acids, which produces a unique product called coconut aminos.

This is a popular product which contains an abundance of amino acids - the building blocks for protein - you have probably come across products described as organic coconut aminos.

Amino acids have many health benefits and the amino acids found in coconut aminos include valine, proline, leucine, alanine, serine, and threonine. Threonine is the most exciting amino acid found and while more research is needed, early indications are that threonine can help us to control blood sugar.

As a plant-based chemical, it has shown to aid in protein synthesis.  This means it is converted into a chemical in the body called glycine. This chemical helps the brain to control muscle spasms and cramps.

How The Coconut Tree Is Used

But coconut aminos are just one useful product from the coconut tree. Coconut farmers for centuries have found endless ways of making use of the coconut tree. No parts are wasted or discarded.

Fibres (called coir) can be extracted from the husk of the coconut which are used for a multitude of products including matting, car seats, mattresses and of course for rope. The fibres can also be woven into geotextile products to help prevent soil erosion and support road and river banks. 

The fibre extraction process produces a waste called coconut peat which is used in horticultural and agricultural applications. Many garden centres now sell grow bags containing coconut peat instead of peat moss (which exacerbates global warming when extracted from peat bogs). Did you also know most daffodils in Holland are grown in soil mixed with coconut peat?  

The husk can be ground into small chunks called mulch and used for potting mix and great for growing orchids and many other plants. Mulch is also used in gardens to retain water after rainfall.   

The hard coconut shell can be made into charcoal and a further process involving high heat and steam can convert the charcoal into a product called Activated Carbon.

This has many applications including for water purification, filtering during gold extraction, for cleaning blood in hospitals, as a detox medicine for extracting toxins and as a natural odour absorption material used in footwear and household items. It is also used in some high quality face masks.

Coconut Trunks and Palm Fonds

The trunk of the coconut can be used as timber. As it is a soft wood, using it for furniture manufacturing is not a great idea. But, there is no reason why it can’t be used as floorboards.

In some countries such as Tanzania, it is used for home construction. It makes excellent beams, joists and frames for both windows and doors.

To use coconut wood, you first need to dry it out. To the touch, it feels like a rather oily wood. The drying procedure allows the natural oils to escape. Subsequently, the wood hardens and becomes suitable as a construction material.

A common use for palm fonds is as a roofing material. Coconut palm fonds can also be used for weaving mats for the general floor area and as sleeping mats.

Cooking With Coconut

In coconut producing countries particularly in Asia, coconut has long been regarded as a food source. The coconut sap mentioned earlier can also be used to make coconut sugar, coconut nectar (syrup), coconut vinegar and fermented into coconut wine and further distilled into coconut spirits.

Coconut water is packed with antioxidants, electrolytes and potassium to help rehydration and make your gym workout easier.

Many products can be derived from the white meat of a mature coconut including coconut oil, coconut flour, coconut milk and coconut milk powder. If you visit an Indian restaurant, it is hard to avoid coconut. Coconut in its many forms helps to flavour Indian spicy dishes and will even “turn down” the heat in spicy favourites such as Vindaloo.

But, the use of coconut in food is not limited to Indian dishes. The meat, sap and water are all added to other foods. However, you can also enjoy them on their own.

Coconut Flower Blossom

The coconut tree also produces a coconut flower which as mentioned earlier, coconut sap can be extracted to produce coconut aminos, coconut vinegar and coconut sugar. We should also acknowledge that coconut flowers are striking to look at and long-lasting. In exotic ornamental gardens, coconut trees are often grown for their flowers alone.

Once gathered and picked, they last for a long time when put in a cool spot. They give off a delicate but noticeable aroma which is often more powerful at night.

Coconut flowers last longer than Orchid flowers. When left on the tree, they will carry on flowering until the nut starts to form.

In traditional folk medicine, coconut flowers are used to remedy kidney infections and kidney stones.

Ayurvedic traditional medicine is packed with coconut remedies. As the flowers have a mild antiseptic effect, it is thought that they can help to reduce inflammatory conditions.

Essential Oils are made from the coconut flower and used as a natural remedy for psoriasis, dermatitis and dandruff. It can also help to reduce inflammation. This is more than likely why it is useful as a remedy for a range of skin conditions.

Eczema sufferers may also benefit from products based on coconut flowers. The liquid extracted from the flowers softens skin and can reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Coconut extract is a popular addition to soaps, shower gels and body lotions.

Maybe we should start to plant more coconut trees? It is a tree that fits in perfectly well with our global strategies and targets for waste and pollution reduction. Waste not, want not springs to mind when it comes to the coconut tree.