Mozambique - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

BioGasCucle is a program for recycling organic waste in urban areas. The organic matter is transformed into biogas using biodigesters. Biogas is a source of renewable energy for cooking, lighting or generating electricity on a small scale.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

The biogas produced can be used as a renewable energy source for various purposes, such as cooking food, lighting and small-scale electricity generation. This not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, helping with sustainable urban waste management, but also closes the nutrient cycle efficiently. After the anaerobic digestion process in biodigesters, the resulting organic compost can be used as high-quality organic fertilizer to fertilize agricultural soils. This compost not only improves soil fertility, but also reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers, promoting more sustainable agricultural practices and completing the nutrient cycle in an integrated way. In addition to the environmental benefits, such as reducing methane emissions from landfills and closing the nutrient cycle, initiatives like this also have positive social impacts by promoting awareness of waste management and the use of renewable energies within urban communities.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

BioGasCycle aims to solve the intertwined challenges of waste management, energy generation, and agricultural sustainability by implementing biodigestion technology to convert organic waste into biogas and nutrient-rich fertilizer, thereby fostering a more sustainable and circular urban ecosystem. 1. Waste Management: BioGasCycle reduces methane emissions by diverting urban organic waste from landfills to biodigesters. 2. Energy Generation: bioGasCycle converts organic waste into biogas for renewable energy use in urban areas. 3. Agricultural Sustainability: BioGasCycle produces organic fertilizer from biodigester digestate, supporting eco-friendly farming practices. 4. Circular Economy: BioGasCycle promotes resource efficiency by recycling organic waste into biogas and fertilizer, fostering urban sustainability.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

The BioGasCycle project offers several key advantages: - Environmental Impact: by diverting organic waste from landfills to biodigesters, BioGasCycle significantly reduces methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. This contributes to mitigating climate change and improving air quality in urban areas. - Energy Sustainability: utilizing biogas produced from organic waste as a renewable energy source promotes energy independence and resilience within communities. It provides a reliable alternative to traditional fossil fuels for cooking, lighting, and small-scale electricity generation. -Agricultural Benefits: the nutrient-rich digestate from biodigesters serves as high-quality organic fertilizer. This supports sustainable agriculture by improving soil health, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, and enhancing crop productivity without depleting natural resources.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The targeted beneficiaries are: 1. Urban Communities: residents and businesses in urban areas benefit from cleaner environments and improved waste management practices. 2. Energy Users: individuals and households gain access to renewable biogas for cooking, lighting, and electricity, promoting energy independence. 3. Farmers and Agricultural Sector: agriculture benefits from nutrient-rich organic fertilizer, enhancing soil health and crop productivity sustainably. 4. Local Governments and Municipalities: governments improve waste management efficiency, reduce landfill waste, and meet environmental goals. 5. Environmental Advocates: organizations and individuals benefit from reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a circular economy approach, supporting environmental sustainability.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-05-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

3

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Aniziley

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

BioGasCycle contributes significantly to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1) by addressing poverty in diverse ways. By implementing biodigesters for organic waste management, the project creates job opportunities in waste collection, biogas production, and sustainable agriculture. These jobs not only provide income but also support local economies and empower communities. Furthermore, BioGasCycle promotes resource efficiency by recycling organic waste into biogas and nutrient-rich fertilizer. This lowers agricultural costs, enhances soil fertility, and improves crop yields, particularly benefiting small-scale farmers who often struggle with expensive inputs. By providing renewable biogas as a clean energy alternative, the project enhances energy access in underserved areas, reducing reliance on costly traditional fuels and promoting economic stability. Through these efforts, BioGasCycle contributes to building resilient communities and fostering sustainable development.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

BioGasCycle contributes to achieving SDG 2, zero hunger, by improving agricultural productivity with organic fertilizer, reducing food waste through efficient waste management, and supporting cost-effective farming practices, ultimately enhancing food security and sustainability.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

BioGasCycle contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), good health and well-being, by reducing air pollution through biogas production, improving access to clean energy for cooking and lighting, enhancing agricultural productivity with organic fertilizer, and creating economic opportunities in sustainable sectors. These efforts support healthier environments, better nutrition, and economic well-being within communities.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

BioGasCycle plays a crucial role in supporting SDG 4 by improving energy access, promoting sustainability education, and enhancing school infrastructure, thereby contributing to inclusive and quality education for all.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

BioGasCycle contributes to SDG 5 by fostering economic empowerment, improving health and safety, promoting education and awareness, and enhancing women's participation in sustainable development efforts.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

BioGasCycle contributes in this way: - Water Conservation: diverting organic waste from landfills to biodigesters, BioGasCycle reduces the strain on water resources associated with landfill leachate management. This helps in conserving water and maintaining water quality. - Improved Sanitation: efficient waste management through biodigesters minimizes environmental contamination from organic waste, thereby reducing the risk of water pollution and improving overall sanitation conditions. - Resource efficiency: the organic fertilizer produced from biodigesters enhances soil water retention and reduces the need for water-intensive chemical fertilizers. This supports sustainable agriculture practices and efficient water use in farming. - Community Health: access to clean biogas for cooking and heating reduces the reliance on traditional biomass fuels, which can contaminate water sources through deforestation and water collection for fuel.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

BioGasCycle promotes clean energy by utilizing organic waste to produce biogas through anaerobic digestion. This process not only generates renewable energy but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps manage waste sustainably. BioGasCycle aims to contribute to a cleaner environment and sustainable energy production.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

BioGasCycle also contributes to decent work by creating employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector. It supports job creation in waste management, biogas production, maintenance of biogas plants, and related fields. By fostering employment in these areas, BioGasCycle contributes to economic growth while promoting environmentally friendly practices.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

BioGasCycle contributes to industry innovation and infrastructure development by advancing technologies and practices related to biogas production and waste management. It promotes the development of infrastructure such as biogas plants and facilities for organic waste collection and processing. These efforts not only enhance energy security but also drive technological advancements in renewable energy and waste-to-energy solutions. By investing in innovation and infrastructure, BioGasCycle supports sustainable development goals and fosters economic growth in the clean energy sector.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

BioGasCycle contributes to reducing inequalities by providing opportunities for communities, particularly in rural areas, to participate in and benefit from renewable energy projects. It creates local employment opportunities and empowers farmers and small-scale businesses involved in waste collection and biogas production. By decentralizing energy production and promoting access to clean energy sources, BioGasCycle helps bridge the gap between urban and rural areas in terms of energy access and economic opportunities. This can lead to more equitable distribution of resources and benefits, thereby reducing inequalities within communities.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

BioGasCycle plays a role in promoting sustainable cities by offering a renewable energy solution that helps reduce urban environmental impacts. By converting organic waste into biogas, BioGasCycle contributes to waste management strategies that minimize landfill usage and methane emissions. The biogas produced can be used for various purposes such as heating, electricity generation, and cooking, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon footprints in urban areas. Furthermore, integrating biogas production into urban infrastructure supports sustainable development goals by enhancing energy security, improving air quality, and mitigating climate change effects. This approach not only contributes to cleaner urban environments but also fosters resilience against energy price volatility and supply disruptions. Overall, BioGasCycle promotes the transformation of cities towards more sustainable and livable environments through innovative waste-to-energy solutions.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

BioGasCycle promotes responsible consumption and production by utilizing organic waste to produce biogas through an environmentally sustainable process known as anaerobic digestion. This approach reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, thereby minimizing environmental pollution and methane emissions, which are potent greenhouse gases. Additionally, by generating biogas from organic waste, BioGasCycle supports the efficient use of resources and promotes circular economy principles. The biogas produced can be used as a renewable energy source for heating, electricity generation, and cooking, displacing fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, BioGasCycle encourages responsible consumption by raising awareness about waste management practices and promoting the recycling of organic materials into valuable energy resources. This contributes to more efficient resource utilization and helps mitigate environmental impacts associated with conventional waste

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

BioGasCycle plays a crucial role in climate action by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. It involves the production of biogas through anaerobic digestion of organic materials like agricultural waste, food scraps, and manure. This process not only produces renewable energy in the form of biogas (primarily methane and carbon dioxide) but also reduces methane emissions that would otherwise be released from organic waste decomposition in landfills or open fields. Thus, BioGasCycle helps in reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions and contributes positively to climate change mitigation efforts.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

We prevent contamination of water and all aquatic life.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

We prevent contamination land and all life

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

2

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

6

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

6

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

2

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

2

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

2

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

2

05.08 Justification

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

The main competitor to the BioGasCycle, which involves the production of biogas from organic waste, is likely traditional sources of energy such as firewood, charcoal, and fossil fuels like kerosene or diesel. These traditional fuels are commonly used for cooking and heating purposes in many households and communities across the country. Economic factors, infrastructure limitations, and cultural preferences often influence the adoption and competition of alternative energy sources like biogas.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

I'm a girl mover and I'm committed to encouraging women to become entrepreneurs. In my community I share training opportunities and help with education and training in tools such as English and IT.