Several start-ups in the Philippines are turning pesky invasive water lilies into an eco-friendly form of charcoal, fueling tens of millions of kitchens and reducing logging. Also called water hyacinths, the aquatic plant often clogs up rivers and canals and can kill marine life by draining oxygen out of the water if left unchecked. HiGi Energy, which started production in December 2015, is among the groups which have capitalized on the problem by converting the harvested water lilies into briquettes. The plants are burnt in special metal drums fitted with exhaust pipes which reduce any smoke residue. They later add binding agents and mould the burnt lilies after it has cooled. HiGi Energy Chief Finance Officer Hazel Pajotagana says water hyacinth briquettes produce 50 percent less smoke, making it cleaner than traditional solid fuels.

Invasive water hyacinths could fuel PH kitchens. (2017, February 3). Panay News, p. B4.