Eco-Friendly Charcoal as Substitute to Commercial Charcoal

Authors

  • Arnie Peralta
  • Catherine Sablan
  • Desiree Manatad
  • John E. Cordero

Keywords:

eco-friendly charcoal, commercial charcoal

Abstract

The production of charcoal has hazardous impacts, not only on human beings but also in the environment. The direct environmental impact is deforestation caused by cutting of trees to produce charcoal. It disturbs forest ecology by destroying plant and animal habitats. This can also affect biodiversity produce by cutting of trees, reducing agricultural productivity, and causing soil erosion. Charcoal is a practical substitute for fuel, even with these hazardous effects in human and environment. An idea to produce charcoal as a substitute to fuel in everyday lives is an approach to create an alternative for charcoal with the use of charcoal materials such as wood debris or kusot and newspapers. This study aimed to lessen the dangerous impacts of commercial charcoal to human health and environment. The study also intended to lessen waste materials, to maximize and make use of the waste materials in a more productive way. To make an alternative charcoal, the following materials, such as kusot and newspapers were mixed in an alcohol based solution; then molded using the hands or a piece of cloth. After molding, the product was dried for about two (2) days. The test included the duration of flame, duration of charcoal completely burned, soot produces, and the type of combustion release. All tests showed positive results. The alternative charcoal made by waste materials, such as wood debris (kusot) and newspapers, released blue flame, which is good for complete combustion. The product also lasted for about 15 minutes without its complete ignition. Therefore, this alternative charcoal made by waste materials was able to substitute and be comparable to commercial ones.

Published

2018-09-18