This Kenyan company makes fuel from human poo | Pioneers for Our Planet

Summary

In East Africa, deforestation is rampant due to reliance on firewood and charcoal. A solution is presented by repurposing human waste into a sustainable biomass fuel. The company collects waste, treats it, and combines it with other waste materials to create a charcoal substitute that burns longer and emits less. This eco-friendly fuel not only reduces emissions but also saves trees, with each tonne produced saving approximately 88 trees in Kenya. The potential to meet half of Kenya's charcoal and firewood demand with this waste-based fuel could significantly reduce deforestation.

Takeaways

• 🌱 In East Africa, 90% of residents rely on solid biomass like firewood, charcoal, and pellets, leading to significant deforestation.
• 🚽 Human feces are a rich source of resources, including carbon, which can be harnessed instead of being flushed away.
• 🔥 The calorific value of human feces is comparable to dried firewood, suggesting it can be a sustainable energy source.
• 🏡 The company operates around 650 toilets, servicing them twice a week to collect waste for processing.
• 🔬 Waste is heat-treated and combined with other biomass waste like charcoal dust or sawdust to create a new product.
• 🌲 Their product, 'Mkaa kwa jamii' or 'charcoal for the family,' burns longer and emits less carbon monoxide and particulates than traditional charcoal.
• 💨 Each tonne of their briquettes sold saves approximately 88 trees in Kenya, contributing to the fight against deforestation.
• 🌍 The environmental impact is a selling point, with customers choosing their fuel for its eco-friendly benefits.
• 🔄 If all human and agricultural waste in Kenya were utilized, it could meet nearly 50% of the country's charcoal and firewood needs, significantly reducing deforestation.
• 🌟 The solution provided is a significant step towards addressing the urgent issue of deforestation in Kenya.

Q & A

What is the primary concern regarding the use of solid biomass in East Africa?

Deforestation has been a significant problem in Kenya and throughout East Africa due to the high percentage of residents, approximately 90%, who utilize solid biomass forms like firewood, charcoal, and pellets daily.

What alternative resource is being proposed to combat deforestation?

Human faeces is being considered as an alternative resource because it contains a significant amount of carbon that can be used as a direct substitute for firewood, thus potentially reducing deforestation.

How does the calorific value of human faeces compare to that of dried firewood?

The calorific value of human faeces is comparable to that of dried firewood, making it a viable alternative for energy production.

How many toilets are in operation as part of this initiative?

There are approximately 650 toilets in operation, with services provided twice a week to collect and treat the waste.

What is done with the collected human waste at the treatment facilities?

The collected human waste is heat treated and combined with other biomass waste like charcoal dust, sawdust, or rose waste. It is then mixed, pressed, and dried to create a sustainable product.

What is the name of the sustainable product created from treated human waste?

The sustainable product created is called 'Mkaa kwa jamii,' which means 'charcoal for the family' in Swahili.

How does the performance of 'Mkaa kwa jamii' compare to local charcoal?

Mkaa kwa jamii burns about twice as long as local charcoal and has about one-third of the emissions, specifically carbon monoxide and particulates.

What environmental impact does the sale of one tonne of the briquettes have?

For every tonne of the briquettes sold, approximately 88 trees are saved in Kenya, contributing to a significant reduction in deforestation.

What is the consumer response to the environmentally friendly fuel?

People are purchasing the fuel because of its environmental impact, with many expressing a desire to save trees and make a positive change.

What is the potential impact if all human and agricultural waste in Kenya were utilized?

Utilizing all the unused human and agricultural waste in Kenya could potentially supply almost 50% of the entire charcoal and firewood demand, leading to a substantial drop in deforestation rates.

How does the speaker view the solution provided by their initiative?

The speaker sees the solution as a key stepping stone to addressing the immediate needs of deforestation and is excited about the potential it holds for environmental conservation.