Not as crazy as it seems; unsellable bananas turned into charcoal in Japan

According to The Asahi Shimbun, fruit processor and vendor Dole Japan Inc. refuses to let bananas that are unsellable go to waste. It turns them into charcoal.
It is hoping its banana-based fuel will become commercially available for use in barbecues and other leisure activities early in 2025.
Tokyo-based Dole Japan said it aims to reduce food loss.
“We expect to sell charcoal at certain retailers and online shopping sites,” said Dole Japan President Hiroshi Aoki. “We will be releasing it as early as next spring, provided our preparations are completed smoothly.”
Finnicky Japanese consumers shun bananas that have skin blemishes, are bruised or too big, no matter how tasty they are.
Dole Japan said it is forced to discard 20,000 tons of the fruit annually in the Philippines and elsewhere.
In 2021, Dole Japan initiated the Mottainai Banana Project with producers and other entities to make use of those bananas for drinks and confectionery.
About 900 tons of bananas were recycled in 2023 under the initiative. Dole Japan is looking to raise the figure to 5,000 tons within a few years.

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15469085