用烏金點亮官田

用烏金點亮官田

Circular economy in Guantian

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiQBrHBtZ_Y

官田區是菱角的主要產地（佔國內總產量九成），然而伴隨而來每年超過上千噸的大量廢棄菱角殼，卻造成了焚化廠的困擾，也成為當地環保的頭痛議題。官田烏金團隊以科學的方式透過專利炭化製程，將傳統廢棄的菱角殼化身成為符合歐洲物炭認證（EBC）與國際生物炭倡議組織（IBI）的高品質材料，並運用其高密度孔洞特性達到優異的除甲醛、臭氧及有機揮發物（VOCs）效果，同時也達到室內的溫濕的調節作用。可用來作為居家裝修後的室內空氣淨化（菱殼炭）、日常生活中的用品開發（手工皂、擴香石、炭盆器、杯墊）、土壤介質...等。

As the main farming area of water caltrop, Guantian district holds account for 90% of output in Taiwan. But thousands of metric tons of waste shells were burned or buried each year, causing significant environmental concerns. To solve problems in a scientific way, we started FanC Recycling International Ltd. and developed an incineration system to turn waste water caltrop shells into high quality biochar, which meet the standard of European Biochar Certificate(EBC) & International Biochar Initiative (IBI).

This kind of porous biochar can significantly reduce emission of VOCs in the air, like ozone and formaldehyde, and also have great performance in indoor humidity control. Therefore they were developed into biochar pouches (mostly used as purifiers against formaldehyde emission after home decor) and multiple daily products like soap, diffuser, planter, coster and soil mixture.

官田區是菱角的主要產地（佔國內總產量九成），然而伴隨而來每年超過上千噸的大量廢棄菱角殼，卻造成了焚化廠的困擾，也成為當地環保的頭痛議題。為了以友善環境、永續循環的方式賦予廢棄物新生命，我們結合產業、政府、學校及社會的力量投入研究，於2019年成立那顆炭國際有限公司，並推出以循環經濟為核心之品牌—「官田烏金 Guantian Black Gold」。

為了解決此問題，我們開發出專利製炭系統，將菱角殼轉變成烏金—菱殼炭。由於它具有增進土壤肥力、淨化水質、吸濕除臭等特性，我們進而研發並推出一系列菱殼炭生活用品，如菱殼炭皂、吸附包及布類產品...等等。而園區內的專利製炭系統除了產出產品外，更因配有完整「熱源再利用系統」及「太陽能電力系統」，成為循環經濟應用的典範。除了商業上的營運，我們也藉由多樣化的園區導覽遊程，推廣友善地球、循環經濟之理念。

面臨台灣鄉村常見的人口外移、人口老化及環境議題，我們期望這樣的典範能夠帶來啟發並有效解決問題。目前已達成效益如下：
一、環境：固碳3公噸/年；碳排放減少11公噸/年；農業廢棄物減少585公噸/年
二、經濟：減少廢棄物處理成本$1,440,000/年；增加品牌收益400,000/年
三、社會：創造就業機會5個/年；社區總體營造受益1,400人次/年；復康巴士搭乘520,000人次/年

未來我們期望建構模組化的廢棄物再生模式，將此應用推展至其他農業廢棄物，為下一代創造一個更好的未來。

As the main farming area of water caltrop, Guantian district holds account for 90 percent of output in Taiwan. But thousands of metric tons of waste shells were burned or buried each year, causing significant environmental concerns. In order to solve this problem in a sustainable way, we started FanC Recycling International Ltd., put resources of industries, government, schools and communities together and launch a new brand focusing on circular economy, “Guantian Black Gold”.

To solve the environmental problem, we developed an incineration system to turn the shells into biochar, a form of charcoal often described as black gold. With multiple uses—enriching soil, purifying water and absorbing moisture, odors and volatile chemicals, black gold were developed into series of daily products such as soap, biochar pouches and clothes. In addition to its output, our manufacturing area also set an example of circular economic with its heat reusing system and solar electric system. Besides our commercial operation, we also provide guided tour to share ideas of circular economy and eco friendly way of living.

Facing significant emigration, aging and environmental problems commonly seen in rural areas of Taiwan, we try to build up a successful model of circular economy and furthermore, solve these problems. Following are our goals in three ways and have been done by now:

Environment: 3 metric tons of carbon fixation per year; 11 metric tons of carbon emission reduced per year; 585 metric tons of agriculture waste reduced per year.
Economic: $1,440,000 cost of waste treatment reduced per year; Create $400,000 profits per year
Society: Create 5 employment per year; 1,400 local people benefit from community development; 520,000 passengers benefit from handicap buses.

Hopefully, with more resources and investments, we will achieve more. In the long term, we also plan to create a module recycling system for all kinds of agriculture wastes, hoping to bring a better world for our next generation.

https://www.gtbg.com.tw/