Ghana - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Biochar for water purification is produced from waste plant feedstock such as coconut husk, cocoa pods and palm kennels. It’s cheaper, sustainable, innovative, highly effective and efficient water purifier.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

My project involves production and application of biochar for water treatment. It will utilize "waste" substances (biomass) as main resource for production of biochar through pyrolysis. Study has shown that specific biomass biochar is highly effective for removal of harmful contaminants and heavy metals from water. Pyrolysis can be defined as the process of subjecting substances (biomass) to highly elevated temperatures in relatively inert atmosphere in order to facilitate their thermal decomposition. Typically, the pyrolysis of organic substances will produce multiple volatile products and will also leave solid residue enriched in carbon. My project will use volatiles (which are combustible) to sustain the production of biochar offsetting the fuel needed (wood) to maintain the conditions for pyrolysis to occur during production of biochar. Our feedstock would be brought from traders (coconut sellers, palm oil processors and cocoa farmers), processed, packaged and made easy to use.

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

The main problem we are trying to solve is the danger and risk unsanitary water poses to the health of consumers also, The increase of biomass waste such as coconut husk which is abundant in my and other agricultural communities, regions and country as a whole. Improper disposal serves a breeding ground for infectious bacterial and viruses, pests and rodents. This is a danger to the well being of society.

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

Water purification for area that lack access to clean water and efficient, low-cost and clean water purification process for adoption for all water companies. Reduction of biomass waste in communities and reduces diseases and infections caused by improper waste disposal. Major contributing factors to the sustainable development goals. Renewable energy awareness and extra source of income for traders since "waste" resource would be bought from them. Alternate of use of biochar e.g. biomass briquette for heating purposes which encourages clean cooking.

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

Community inhabitants Women and children in clean water deprived communities. Water companies adoption and upscaling the use of biochar for water purification. liquid waste treatment companies

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-05-09

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

4

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

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

Boadi Fosuah Portia is a dedicated, innovative and solution driven renewable energy graduate. Her goal is to improve livelihood, expand and drive business through sustainable renewable energy innovations and solutions. Asenso Emmanuel Gyamfi is a renewable energy graduate with in-depth knowledge and experience in said field and Information Technology. He is a flexible and hardworking team player focused on boosting productivity and performance and detail-oriented approaches. Appiah-Kubi Kelvin is a renewable energy graduate with passion for technology and its advancement. He experience working on renewable energy systems such as biogas, solar systems as well as agriculture. He is motivated by how renewable renewable energy can change the world and is working to be part of that change.

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?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

My project intends to buy biomass plant "waste" which serves as main resource to my project. Buying "waste" as a resource serves as an extra source of income for the local trader's e.g. coconut sellers and local cocoa farmers.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

My project somewhat contributes to zero hunger by solving clean water for drinking and cooking issue. Some water bodies contain heavy pollutants which deprives communities water for their day to day activities.

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

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Pure water contributes to SGD 2 through a. Reduction of pollution (municipal waste) which contributes to the general well-being of the public as waste accumulation encourages breeding for harmful bacteria, viruses and other harmful disease. b. Biochar produced from "waste" is used for water purification. study show mothers with deformed babies is a result of heavy metal in water. Biochar application reduce heavy metals in water which are highly harmful to consumers and provide clean water for cooking, drinking and other purposes.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Biochar technology can be part of educational curricula from primary to universities. Offering continuous education opportunities through workshops and seminars on biochar and its applications promotes lifelong learning. These programs can be targeted at different groups, including professionals, farmers, and community leaders.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

My project is to increase advocation and adoption of renewable energy in communities thereby engaging women and girls. Workshop would be organized educating women and girls on renewable energy (biochar) and encourage its local production and application for water purification.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Biochar has a high surface area and porous structure, which allows it to effectively adsorb contaminants such as heavy metals, organic pollutants, and pathogens from water. By removing these contaminants, biochar helps to improve water quality and safety, contributing to SDG 6's target of ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all. When applied to soils, biochar improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient cycling, thereby reducing soil erosion. By enhancing soil-water interactions, biochar helps to replenish groundwater reserves and maintain hydrological balance, which is essential for sustaining ecosystems and supporting agricultural productivity, aligning with SDG 6's objectives of water resource management and sustainability. Biochar can be used in various wastewater treatment applications, including filtration, adsorption, and microbial degradation. By treating wastewater before discharge, biochar helps to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of poll.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

5

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Affordable and Clean Energy might not be immediately apparent. However, biochar does contribute to SDG 7 in several indirect but significant ways. Biochar can improve the energy efficiency of wastewater treatment processes. Traditional wastewater treatment methods can be energy intensive. By using biochar as an adsorbent for removing contaminants, the energy requirements for treatment processes can be reduced. This aligns with SDG 7’s goal of improving energy efficiency. This bioenergy can be harnessed for various purposes, including heating, electricity generation, or as a substitute for fossil fuels. By promoting the use of biochar production processes that also generate renewable energy, we support SDG 7’s target of increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

The production of biochar and its application in water purification systems create job opportunities across various stages, from the collection of feedstocks to the manufacturing of biochar and the installation and maintenance of purification systems. This contributes to local economies by providing employment and income.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

My project utilizes biochar which is produced from pyrolysis is an innovative technology that convert organic waste into stable form of carbon which is a sustainable industrialization. In addition, biochar as water purification is an innovative approach to water treatment. Biochar water purification systems will be beneficial in rural and remote area where traditional water treatment infrastructure is not available or lacking. This promotes and help builds resilient infrastructure and industrialization.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

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

My project is a sustainable and green technology. It uses organic "waste" materials and converting them to useful products thereby supporting waste management and recycling efforts contributing to sustainable cities and communities. My project can be used for temporal water purification ensuring clean water which is essential for the health and well-being of communities. it effectively removes heavy metals, pathogens and organic pollutants from water by reducing waterborne diseases. My project is a cost-effective solution for water purification for budget constrained municipalities. Involving local communities in the production and maintenace of biochar-based water purification will create jobs and promote community engagement in sustainable development.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

My project converts waste in valuable resource which leverages on its high adsorption capacity to remove contaminate and heavy metals enhancing efficient use of natural resources. Biochar is offering a natural and non-toxic solution to traditional purification process which involves chemical treatment which can lead to secondary pollution. My project contributes significantly to reduction of waste and promotes recycling practices. Biochar used for water treatment can be dried and later used for cooking purposes or repurposed for soil amendment without causing environmental harm.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

My project has circular economy can a core initiative. Biochar contributes to carbon sequestration helping to mitigate climate change. Biochar at the end of the lifecycle of biochar used for water treatment can be used for soil amendment thereby returning nutrients to the soil and closing the loop in a circular economy.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

My project offers opportunity for application not just in water for domestic purposes but also for wastewater management. Which involves using my product for wastewater treatment before dislodging into water bodies. This includes use in biofils, suck-aways, and sewage tanks and trucks and bathwater runways before it enters gutter which finds its way into water bodies deep underground water.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

6

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Application of my project to soil enhance water retention capacity which is essential for preventing land degradation and fighting desertification. This practice contributes to enhance vegetation growth. restore degraded soils and a healthy ecosystem supporting diverse ecosystem of plant, animal and microbial functions.

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

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

My project offers a low-cost solution for water purification, making it an attractive option funding from both public and private sectors. Implementation of project would foster research and development hence the need for collaborate effort between research institutions, universities and industries on the effectiveness and scalability of applications.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

3

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.

6

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

2

05.08 Justification

With the use of biochar for water purification, there has been no adoption or use in any industry or homes in Ghana. Only external research is been conducted. Thus our products are entirely new and its application can be characterised as new technology despite already existing water purification methods which utilised chemicals, ours don’t. The demand of clean water is ever increasing considering the high level of galamsey activities that affect largely people in rural areas.

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

My project minimises carbon emission during bio bar production process by reusing volatiles(emissions) for burning. It’s sustainable, green, renewable and promotes circular economy. 100% implementation adoption and implementation on a large scale

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

Gower Street: Women in Renewable Energy Empowerment and business incubation.