Ghana - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

CHARCOPS, revolutionizing wastewater treatment and soil enrichment with Sustainable Biochar. It capitalizes on circular economy, sustainability and environmental preservation through the use of coconut and palm waste.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Introducing CHARCOPS, a groundbreaking innovative concept that seeks to transform coconut and palm kernel waste into a versatile biochar, addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and agricultural challenges. Our project is strongly hinged on the principles of circular economy and environmental sustainability. Our solution tackles the pressing issue of improper solid waste disposal by converting waste into a low-cost, eco-friendly charcoal. Our primary objective is to develop and implement Charcops biochar. This will harness the potential of coconut and palm kernel waste to: provide a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment, enhance agricultural productivity through soil amendment, mitigate pollution as well as safeguard environmental and public health.

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

CHARCOPS addresses the disposal and management of solid waste. This is achieved by converting the estimated 30,000 tons of coconut waste and enormous quantities of palm kernel shell waste generated from about 2.5 million tons of palm oils produced in Ghana annually into valuable resources. This prevents indiscriminate disposal of these waste materials into the environment, thus preventing pollution and ensuring sustainability. As the world grapples with the challenge of intensified water scarcity due to population growth, urbanization, and climate change, CHARCOPS emerges as a sustainable solution to help address the improper disposal of wastewater which contaminates surface and groundwater bodies by providing an affordable and effective adsorbent material that improves access to wastewater treatment solutions in resource-constrained areas.

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

Charcops embodies the principles of Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability, offering a groundbreaking solution to tackle solid waste and wastewater disposal. By embracing waste reduction, recycling, and efficient resource utilization, Charcops aligns with global initiatives promoting green technologies and contributing to carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. Our innovative approach supports the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 6, 8, 9, and 11). Charcops offers a cost-effective, nature-based alternative to conventional wastewater treatment systems, leveraging readily accessible waste materials as substrate media in filter systems and biotechnologies like constructed wetlands. Our solution reduces costs compared to sand and chemically modified adsorbents, making sustainable wastewater treatment more accessible and affordable. Furthermore, the biochar enhances agricultural soil health and increases crop productivity.

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

Municipalities and communities that generate a lot of coconut and palm waste would effectively manage their waste by converting these into biochar to reduce waste menace and other problems associated with their disposal. Communities with water challenges will benefit from Charcops wastewater treatment systems, especially farming areas that require alternative sources of water for irrigation purposes. Charcops can also be used as a media for industrial wastewater treatment. Small-scale farmers can use the biochar as a natural amendment to improve the soil quality of overused lands and contaminated soils.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-01-01

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

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

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

Ernest Obeng: As a Biologist, Water and Environmental Sanitation specialist, I bring expertise in harnessing Nature-based Solutions and pioneering Biological Wastewater Treatment innovations. With a strong track record of leadership and management, I excel in driving administrative and executive tasks with efficiency and excellence, ensuring successful outcomes and impactful results. Emmanuel Nketiah Ahenkorah: Results-oriented water quality specialist skilled in wastewater facility management and drinking water treatment technologies. Proficient in laboratory techniques and experienced in research on emerging contaminants. Expertise in developing innovative wastewater treatment approaches for both household and industrial applications. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills, with advanced computer proficiency.

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?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

2

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Our innovation ensures the continuous supply of water for irrigation and other uses when charcops is used for wastewater treatment. This promotes all-year-round farming, which is not dependent solely on rain. Thus, productivity increased and supply becomes more consistent. Also, the product presents a sustainable system that promotes climate-resilient agriculture, with the use of the biochar and recycled water to maintain soil health and increase crop yields. This ensures that food producers can meet the demand for food, their income is increased and that translates to expansion in production hence more supply and sufficient food for consumers.

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

Improper disposal of wastewater and solid waste leads to the spread of infectious diseases including cholera and Malaria. The improper disposal of these wastes makes them breeding grounds for vectors of water-borne diseases and aesthetic nuisance in the environment. Charcops doubles as a wastewater and solid waste management strategy that leads to the promotion and protection of public health. Ultimately, mortality rate associated with wastewater, unsafe sanitation is minimized.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Water scarcity, pollution of water bodies and waste disposal are critical global threats to clean water, sanitation and hygiene. Charcops leads to the sustainable use and recycling of solid and liquid waste to improve water quality, hygiene and sanitation whilst preventing water scarcity. With Charcops treatment systems, the proportion of domestic wastewater flows that are discharged untreated is reduced ensuring the increase in the water quality of rivers and other receiving water bodies. Also, Charcops ensures water use efficiency is increased due to recycling of wastewater and its reuse especially for non-potable uses hence less withdrawal from available freshwater sources for these uses. Water ecosystems are also protected and local communities are involved and active in WASH management.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

The Charcops project presents multidimensional opportunities for jobs throughout the production line to the sale of the product. It also promotes creativity and provides employment. The business aims to equip youth with relevant skills for employment, job and entrepreneurship.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Reduce municipal waste generated by cities since portions of the waste are channeled to productive use. Hence, the adverse environmental impacts of these are reduced. Also, since the management of the Charcops wastewater treatment technologies can be done by the locales, it reduces disruptions in service delivery and infrastructure breakdown.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Aligns with sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by reducing food waste, promoting recycling and reuse.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Charcops can sequester carbon from organic waste materials. By converting coconut and palm waste into biochar. This effectively locks away carbon that would otherwise been released into the atmosphere through decomposition or burning. This carbon sequestration not only helps mitigate greenhouse gas emissions but also contributes to climate change mitigation efforts on both local and global scales.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Charcops is a nature-based approach to managing pollution to marine water sources, since these are the receiving bodies for most untreated discharges and the final point for all river and stream flows.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

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.

5

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

3

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

5

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

5

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.08 Justification

Charcops biochar represents an entirely new product that combines coconut and palm kernel waste. While biochars from coconut and palm kernel have been used individually for other purposes, its application in wastewater treatment and agriculture in Ghana is unique. Charcops is an improvement on existing products. While biochar itself is not a new product, the specific use of biochar from coconut and palm kernel waste for wastewater treatment and agricultural enhancement represents a significant improvement over existing biochar applications. Charcops responds to an unmet demand. There is a need for clean water for agriculture especially in dry seasons, as farmers tend to use untreated water sources including wastewater for irrigation. Again, over-cultivation of agricultural land degrades soil quality and farmers are looking for ways to maintain the soil health. Charcops offers a natural solution that retains soil nutrients and eliminates overdependence on chemical fertilizers.

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

Potential competitors include: Coconut Processing and Recycling Companies. This competition exists for resources used for the production of Charcops rather than the market base. Because the use of biochar is now gaining ground in Ghana, its commercialization is less popular as compared to research. What makes Charcops stand out is that our innovation uses a combined waste generated from coconut and palm kernel, and we intend to use this approach to solve problems like improper disposal of the agricultural waste and wastewater, and overdependence on chemical fertilizers.

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

No