Nestlé has recently launched a new scheme in Pakistan intending to develop a zero-waste, tea-based fertiliser, and is now searching for partners to help create the new product. As one of the leading tea creamers in Pakistan, Nestlé EveryDay and Nestlé’s innovation platform HENRi@Nestlé will manage the scheme, aiming to simultaneously reduce tea waste and increase agricultural yields by creating the tea-based solution. According to Nestlé, Pakistani farmers produce over 200,000 tonnes of tea leaves per year. The leaves contain nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, three nutrients which can create a “quality fertiliser”, and the creation of a tea-based fertiliser product would help reduce the environmental impact caused by the use of chemical-based fertilisers. The initiative is now searching for start-ups, innovators, waste management companies, or other corporate partners to help generate the “game-changing” product, and the project will consist of three phases. The first phase, will aim to generate a viable method to procure wasted tea, and the second stage will see a collaboration with Nestlé EveryDay to convert collected tea into a fertiliser, preferably through a composting process. The third and final stage of the project will oversee the commercialisation of the product and selling to farmers in Pakistan as a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly fertiliser. The project will firstly be piloted in Pakistan, and then will expand into other tea producing countries such as China and India in the future. Muhammad Fahad, marketing manager, tea enhancement and open innovation lead for Nestlé Pakistan explained: “As a company, our ambition isn’t limited to how consumers experience our products, it’s also about the impact we have on the communities we operate in and the world around us. “We know that there’s a huge opportunity to positively affect the lives and livelihoods of millions by creating a compost product out of used tea. “That’s why we’re looking for partners to collaborate with us. The right product could offer an environmentally friendly, zero-waste solution to enhance agricultural productivity around the world.” Gerardo Mazzeo, global innovation director at Nestlé further added: “We’re looking for effective and creative partners to bring this initiative to fruition. “This is a sustainable solution that could safeguard the environment and contribute to cleaner, greener practice for years to come. “It will also help farmers to access a cost-effective fertiliser solution, so they can do the right thing for the planet without making commercial compromises. “Initiatives like this are a good example of HENRi’s overarching purpose – to positively impacting individuals, society and the planet.” https://www.nestle.com
Nestle is searching for partners to help develop a zero-waste, tea-based fertiliser in Pakistan. The company said Pakistani farmers produced over 200,000 tonnes of tea leaves each year, which contain nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. vital ingredients for fertilisers. It said tea waste could create a quality fertiliser, and using them would reduce the impact of chemical-based ones. Nestle’s innovation platform HENRi@Nestle is seeking corporate partners, including start-ups, innovators and waste management firms, to develop a workable method to collect waste tea, convert it to fertiliser, and finally organise commercialisation. If successful, it may be expanded into China and India.