Dabo BioCycle Dabo biocycle transforms post-consumer oyster shells and banana waste

The Gambia faces two major environmental challenges: the growing accumulation of oyster shells in coastal areas and the widespread disposal of banana waste. Oyster shells, a byproduct of women-led shellfish harvesting, are often discarded, leading to pollution and habitat degradation. Simultaneously, banana stems and peels are underutilized, despite their potential as a bio-resource. At the same time, The Gambia—and much of West Africa—experiences significant post-harvest losses due to a lack of affordable, natural food preservation options. Dabo BioCycle aims to transform oyster shells and banana waste into eco-friendly food preservatives. The solution leverages innovative, nature-based extraction and processing techniques to derive antimicrobial and mineral-rich compounds. These are then formulated into natural preservatives for extending the shelf life of perishable foods.