Dole, 'Bringing Smiles with Fruit.' Dole and S.T. Corporation, an Unusual Collaboration! S.T. Corporation Releases 'Deodorizing Charcoal for Refrigerators: Banana Charcoal'
Dole Japan and S.T. Corporation have partnered to launch 'Deodorizing Charcoal for Refrigerators: Banana Charcoal,' utilizing Dole's 'Banana Charcoal' made from discarded, off-spec bananas. This innovative product, part of Dole's 'Mottainai Banana Project' to reduce fruit waste, will be available in limited quantities from May 27, 2026, across various retail channels in Japan. The collaboration transforms otherwise wasted bananas into an effective refrigerator deodorizer, embodying both companies' commitment to sustainability and new product development.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 20:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 12:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 03:30 (15h 29m after Collected)
Dole Japan, Inc. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Hiroshi Aoki; hereinafter "Dole") announces that "Deodorizing Charcoal for Refrigerators: Banana Charcoal," which uses Dole's "Banana Charcoal," will be sold in limited quantities starting May 27 (Wednesday) at supermarkets, drugstores, home centers, and online shops nationwide, from S.T. Corporation (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Executive Officer and President: Hiroshi Kozuki; hereinafter "S.T. Corporation").
Dole's "Banana Charcoal" is made from "off-spec" bananas—those with scratches, unusual sizes, or shapes—that are processed into charcoal in the Philippines, their country of origin. As part of Dole's "Mottainai Banana Project," which aims to reduce fruit loss, sales of this product began in 2025 as a way to discover new possibilities for bananas.
This time, S.T. Corporation resonated with Dole's initiative, leading to the creation of "Deodorizing Charcoal for Refrigerators: Banana Charcoal," which uses "Banana Charcoal" as an ingredient in their long-selling product "Deodorizing Charcoal." This unique collaboration has transformed bananas that would have been discarded due to being off-spec into "charcoal" for refrigerator deodorizers.
Under the brand message "Bringing Smiles with Fruit," formulated with the desire to bring smiles to people's diverse lives through fruit, Dole will continue to promote various actions that expand the possibilities of fruit.
■Background of the Collaboration Released on Dole's Official Website
An interview with S.T. Corporation's product development manager reveals the background behind the collaboration and the thoughts put into product development.
"Deodorizing with bananas? The reason why 'Deodorizing Charcoal,' 26 years since its launch, teamed up with 'Mottainai Bananas'"
URL: https://www.dole.co.jp/magazine/0086
■Product Details
"Deodorizing Charcoal for Refrigerators: Banana Charcoal" is a deodorizer developed and sold by S.T. Corporation, formulated with "Banana Charcoal" and activated charcoal. With the company's formulation technology, the jelly containing two types of charcoal thoroughly deodorizes unpleasant odors. The formulation has been carefully devised to provide the same deodorizing effect as the conventional "Deodorizing Charcoal for Refrigerators."
The packaging features a large banana in the center, based on "black," symbolizing both deodorizing charcoal and "Banana Charcoal." The cap of the main unit also adopts a yellow color inspired by bananas.
Product Name: "Deodorizing Charcoal for Refrigerators: Banana Charcoal"
Capacity: 140g
Suggested Retail Price (excluding tax): Around 427 yen (open price)
Release Date: May 27, 2026 (Wednesday)
Sales Locations: Supermarkets, drugstores, home centers, online shops nationwide, etc.
■About "Banana Charcoal"
Bananas deemed "off-spec" due to various reasons such as scratches, size, or shape are processed into charcoal in the Philippines, their country of origin. Compared to general charcoal, it is characterized by being lighter and easier to crush. Since bananas are directly carbonized, their appearance also retains a unique and fun "banana shape."
"Banana Charcoal" Special Site: https://www.dole.co.jp/lp/jp/bananasumi/
"Banana Charcoal" can be purchased at Mercari Shops.
https://jp.mercari.com/shops/product/eaE7MDENbtshTSmccF9KsT
■About the "Mottainai Banana Project"
Dole is working towards zero fruit waste and has named off-spec bananas that must be discarded due to various factors in the distribution process, despite still being delicious and edible, as "Mottainai Bananas."
With the desire to save as many of these bananas as possible, the "Mottainai Banana Project" began in September 2021. Currently, over 200 companies are participating in the "Mottainai Banana Project." "Mottainai Bananas" are being reborn and utilized in various foods such as drinks and sweets, and initiatives are also underway to provide and sell "Mottainai Bananas" themselves through the subscription service "Office de Dole" for workplaces and at retail store shelves.
Furthermore, since 2025, sales of "Banana Charcoal" have also begun, expanding its range of uses beyond food products. In addition, the "Mottainai Fruits" project, which has expanded its scope to include fruits and vegetables other than bananas, is also being developed.
Project Site: https://www.dole.co.jp/lp/jp/mottainaifruits/
■Dole Japan, Inc. Company Overview
Company Name: Dole Japan, Inc.
Founded: 1965
Established: December 28, 1982
Capital: 80 million yen
Representative: Representative Director, President and CEO Hiroshi Aoki
Number of Employees: 177 (as of April 2026)
Business Activities: Production, processing, sales, and marketing of fruits and vegetables, etc.
Operating Revenue: 57.6 billion yen (Fiscal year ending March 2025)
Dole's "Banana Charcoal" is made from "off-spec" bananas—those with scratches, unusual sizes, or shapes—that are processed into charcoal in the Philippines, their country of origin. As part of Dole's "Mottainai Banana Project," which aims to reduce fruit loss, sales of this product began in 2025 as a way to discover new possibilities for bananas.
This time, S.T. Corporation resonated with Dole's initiative, leading to the creation of "Deodorizing Charcoal for Refrigerators: Banana Charcoal," which uses "Banana Charcoal" as an ingredient in their long-selling product "Deodorizing Charcoal." This unique collaboration has transformed bananas that would have been discarded due to being off-spec into "charcoal" for refrigerator deodorizers.
Under the brand message "Bringing Smiles with Fruit," formulated with the desire to bring smiles to people's diverse lives through fruit, Dole will continue to promote various actions that expand the possibilities of fruit.
■Background of the Collaboration Released on Dole's Official Website
An interview with S.T. Corporation's product development manager reveals the background behind the collaboration and the thoughts put into product development.
"Deodorizing with bananas? The reason why 'Deodorizing Charcoal,' 26 years since its launch, teamed up with 'Mottainai Bananas'"
URL: https://www.dole.co.jp/magazine/0086
■Product Details
"Deodorizing Charcoal for Refrigerators: Banana Charcoal" is a deodorizer developed and sold by S.T. Corporation, formulated with "Banana Charcoal" and activated charcoal. With the company's formulation technology, the jelly containing two types of charcoal thoroughly deodorizes unpleasant odors. The formulation has been carefully devised to provide the same deodorizing effect as the conventional "Deodorizing Charcoal for Refrigerators."
The packaging features a large banana in the center, based on "black," symbolizing both deodorizing charcoal and "Banana Charcoal." The cap of the main unit also adopts a yellow color inspired by bananas.
Product Name: "Deodorizing Charcoal for Refrigerators: Banana Charcoal"
Capacity: 140g
Suggested Retail Price (excluding tax): Around 427 yen (open price)
Release Date: May 27, 2026 (Wednesday)
Sales Locations: Supermarkets, drugstores, home centers, online shops nationwide, etc.
■About "Banana Charcoal"
Bananas deemed "off-spec" due to various reasons such as scratches, size, or shape are processed into charcoal in the Philippines, their country of origin. Compared to general charcoal, it is characterized by being lighter and easier to crush. Since bananas are directly carbonized, their appearance also retains a unique and fun "banana shape."
"Banana Charcoal" Special Site: https://www.dole.co.jp/lp/jp/bananasumi/
"Banana Charcoal" can be purchased at Mercari Shops.
https://jp.mercari.com/shops/product/eaE7MDENbtshTSmccF9KsT
■About the "Mottainai Banana Project"
Dole is working towards zero fruit waste and has named off-spec bananas that must be discarded due to various factors in the distribution process, despite still being delicious and edible, as "Mottainai Bananas."
With the desire to save as many of these bananas as possible, the "Mottainai Banana Project" began in September 2021. Currently, over 200 companies are participating in the "Mottainai Banana Project." "Mottainai Bananas" are being reborn and utilized in various foods such as drinks and sweets, and initiatives are also underway to provide and sell "Mottainai Bananas" themselves through the subscription service "Office de Dole" for workplaces and at retail store shelves.
Furthermore, since 2025, sales of "Banana Charcoal" have also begun, expanding its range of uses beyond food products. In addition, the "Mottainai Fruits" project, which has expanded its scope to include fruits and vegetables other than bananas, is also being developed.
Project Site: https://www.dole.co.jp/lp/jp/mottainaifruits/
■Dole Japan, Inc. Company Overview
Company Name: Dole Japan, Inc.
Founded: 1965
Established: December 28, 1982
Capital: 80 million yen
Representative: Representative Director, President and CEO Hiroshi Aoki
Number of Employees: 177 (as of April 2026)
Business Activities: Production, processing, sales, and marketing of fruits and vegetables, etc.
Operating Revenue: 57.6 billion yen (Fiscal year ending March 2025)