Young innovators from Čitluk combined ecology, entrepreneurship and centuries-old tradition of this region. The result is Vinea Pellet. Namely, the invention is based on turning vineyard waste into environmentally friendly fuel, for which they won first prize at a competition in New York.
The Brocan region is known for its vineyards. There is almost no family that does not have its own vineyard, which is why this resource is abundant. It was precisely this advantage that the students of this school decided to use.
Petar Pehar is a student of Fr. Didak Buntić Elementary School in Čitluk and explained to us how the idea came about.
“In our family alone, about a ton of waste is produced, which is a big problem for disposal. We researched and came up with a solution that we can make a pellet that we can use for heating. This year, our school started heating with that pellet because we started producing it,” said Pehar.
This type of pellet, they point out, has a higher energy value compared to existing ones on the market, produces less ash, burns longer and releases more heat. The idea for the implementation of the project was born in 2024, with the aim of solving the problem of waste generated by grape processing.
Student Miho Bulić emphasized the ecological aspect of this project.
“It’s about waste that can’t be left because it emits gases like CO2 that contribute to global warming. We created a project that turns that waste into something useful,” said Bulić.
In addition to pellets, it turned out that this resource can also be used to make other products.
“Grape seed flour is very healthy, rich in vitamins and proteins. In fact, it is one of the best for food preparation,” Bulić added.
The goal of the project was to offer a sustainable product to the market, show its multiple uses and contribute to the preservation of the environment.
The director of the school, Božana Bevanda, emphasized the importance of such initiatives.
“We have turned the waste that remains after the grape harvest, when many people don’t know what to do with it, into something useful. We have made pellets, but also other products such as baths and shampoos that we can offer to the market,” said Bevanda.
There is already interest in these products, and local businessmen have started buying up the pellets. Students Miho, Petar and Zoran showed how ecology, entrepreneurship and local tradition can be successfully connected.
