Making a Clean City Cleaner

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Sustainability, Recycle-Reuse-Refuse, Solid Waste

Ed Hessler

A short video (5:29) from the International Science Council (ISC) features researchers at Nanyang Technical University (Singapore) about their research on "ways to build innovation from what many consider garbage."

One of the fruit waste products includes, durian which has a potent stench. In this article about durian by Joseph Stromberg (Smithsonian Magazine),  this point is made in no uncertain terms, quoting food writer Richard Sterling's classic description: "...turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock. It can be smelled from yards away." The odor led to the banning of durian on the Singapore Mass Transit. 

However, as noted on Healthline, durian is "popular in Southeast Asia, where it's nicknamed 'the king of fruits.' Durian is very high in nutrients containing more than most fruits." The short article lists its uses in food preparation and mentions it's use in traditional medicine.