Banana stems and runways

When you think of bananas, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a bright yellow fruit sitting in your breakfast bowl, not a runway fashion show. But then again, if you’re thinking that way, you haven’t met the folks at Dole. They’ve taken the humble banana and given it a glamorous new role, thanks to their partnership with Musa Fabrics. Yes, you heard it right – fashion.

In May, amidst the swankiest lights and cameras, Dole and Musa Fabrics hosted the MUSA ECO Fashion Runway. Models strutted down the catwalk in traditional Filipino attire that wasn’t just eco-friendly but also made from fibres extracted from discarded 

Who knew your morning smoothie ingredient could moonlight as haute couture?

banana stems. Who knew your morning smoothie ingredient could moonlight as haute couture?

The whole event wasn’t just a spectacle of avant-garde fashion; it was Dole’s loud and proud declaration that they’re serious about zero fruit loss and keeping landfills as empty as possible. And they’re not kidding around. The partnership with Musa Fabrics means 200,000 metric tonnes of banana stem waste are spared from the landfill each year, which in turn spares us more than 250,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. That’s a lot of hot air saved by a bunch of bananas.

“We believe that true sustainability involves finding creative solutions to environmental challenges,” says Kamilla Camilo, Senior Marketing Manager Dole New Zealand. “If you’re going to save the planet, you might as well do it with style and flair. 

But Dole’s eco-ambitions don’t end on the runway, they’re also busy getting their hands dirty in New Zealand with a slew of initiatives.

First up, they’re sponsoring Oke, a local charity that gives Kiwi kids a taste of the good life through their ‘Growing a Future’ initiative. This isn’t about turning kids into the next Jamie Oliver; it’s about building outdoor classrooms and gardens at South Auckland schools where children, teachers, and the local community can cultivate healthy, sustainable fruit and vegetables.

Next, there’s the ‘Good Bunch’ initiative, making regular banana donations to The Salvation Army. Then there’s their conservation work on Motutapu Island, one of New Zealand’s largest volunteer ecological restoration projects. Dole’s investment here supports the preservation and restoration of native ecosystems, ensuring that the island remains a lush, green paradise for future generations to enjoy – and for a plethora of Instagram-worthy moments.