This charcoal runs a full life cycle that's more than environmentally-friendly. It begins with Ubamegashi evergreen oak, grown on the steep slopes of coastal Asian areas, the dense, durable basis of Binchotan charcoal. After it's burned at 1,000 degrees, this charcoal is more than just a fire starter. Place it in an electric rice cooker during the cooking process to ensure the cleanest rice you've ever tasted, drop it a bottle of water to remove an impurities, or leave it in your household to filter through contaminated air. Unless it's used for cooking, you can reuse it over and over for up to 3 months by boiling it for 5 minutes, and let it air dry before reuse. When it's reached it's full capacity, break it into small pieces, place it into plant soil for enrichment, and come full circle in the process.