Profitable Uses for Invasive Plants

Invasive plants are detrimental to an ecosystem. A way that we combat them is by physically removing the invasive plant – digging it up – when we see it. What should we do with it afterwards? In places where invasive plants are removed there needs to be a system in place to deal with the removed plants. A recent study on water Hyacinth titled: State of the art research on sustainable use of water hyacinth: A bibliometric and text mining analysis, proposes some options. They propose that water Hyacinth will be used for fibres, biofuels, and fertilizers. These options would allow impacted communities to benefit from removing the invasive plant. 

Fibres are used for many things such as plant-based textiles. Common plant-based textiles are cotton, and bamboo fabrics. Currently many textiles that are commonly used are synthetic and made of plastics. Plant-based fabrics made from water hyacinths would be more sustainable.

Biofuels are also a good way to use an invasive plant. Biofuels have lower carbon emissions than fossil fuels. Using biofuels instead of fossil fuels lowers your carbon footprint. Some communities use biofuels as a primary source of energy. Water Hyacinth can be used to make biofuel which would be a great resource for the community. 

A simpler way to use an invasive plant is as fertilizer. You would need to be cautious not to spread the seeds of the plant further. Composting the plants on a large scale would be a good method. Composting is allowing the plants to decay naturally with the help of bugs. Once the plants are broken down the soil like fertilizer can be used to support growing gardens and farms.

There are many ways to use invasive plants. These three methods provide a profitable and sustainable product making them great ways to get a community involved in removing invasive plants.