Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

My idea is to sustainably manage environmental waste by converting the organic waste into clean energy briquettes through the carbonization process. They are smokeless ,have a higher calorific value and are cheaper compared to the traditional charcoal.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Climate change effects have become a global pandemic resulting to heightened discussions around climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience. I want to be part of this solution by sustainably managing the environmental waste by converting the organic waste into clean energy bio briquettes for cooking and heating through the carbonization process. These bio briquettes are nearly smokeless , have a higher calorific/burning value and are more affordable compared to the commonly used traditional fuels such as charcoal and wood. My idea will majorly revolve around collection of the organic waste from households, businesses and established dumpsites to a central point, where it will be first sorted to remove any inorganic waste, then sun dried before it is burned in the carbonization drum kilns in the absence of oxygen to produce biochar which is the bound using a binder and compressed into the bio briquettes .The bio briquettes will then be sundried before they are ready for use.

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

According to an official report by the National Environmental Complaints Committee, Nakuru city generates 6,000 tonnes of waste daily with forty five percent of this waste going uncollected every day . Eight five percent of this waste generated in the urban centers of Nakuru comes from homes. These uncollected and decomposing organic waste in the land fills significantly contributes to climate change through emission of green house gases alongside contaminating the waters and soils. My idea is to solve this environmental waste menace through sustainably utilizing and managing the organic waste by converting it into clean energy bio briquettes. My idea is to also solve the problem of indoor air pollution that is caused by the use of the traditional charcoal and wood in the households by producing the bio briquettes that are smokeless. In addition, my idea will also significantly contribute to reduced deforestation that has been caused by the use of the charcoal and wood

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 bio briquettes come with numerous benefits to the consumers ranging from environmental benefits to economic and social benefits. The three major benefits of the bio briquettes include the following; 1. Health benefits - the bio briquettes are nearly smokeless unlike the traditional charcoal and wood thereby reducing indoor air pollution and the related respiratory illnesses. 2.Environmental benefits - the use and adoption of bio briquettes for cooking and heating will reduce the demand for charcoal and wood thereby reducing deforestation. In addition, they are made from organic waste contributing significantly to sustainable waste management and reduced land fills. 3. Economic benefits - the bio briquettes are produced from readily available materials thereby making them more affordable than other sources of fuel. They also burn longer and generate more heat than the traditional charcoal and wood leading to savings in terms of the amount of fuel needed.

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

My idea targets the urban households as the main beneficiaries who majorly depend on the traditional charcoal for heating and cooking. Other targeted beneficiaries are the fast food joints that depend on the charcoal which is increasingly becoming expensive rendering their businesses unsustainable. The energy efficiency and affordability nature of the bio briquettes will contribute significantly to their business growth, profitability and sustainability. Hotels and restaurants are also very potential consumers of the clean energy bio briquettes due to their high calorific value for cooking and heating. As I scale up, learning institutions i.e. primary , secondary and tertiary institutions that largely depend on firewood for cooking will be among the target beneficiaries . On large scale production, I will target the industries as well as other retailers and wholesalers in the clean energy briquettes sector.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-03-01

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

0

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.)

My project is currently in the ideation stage and I am yet to identify potential partners.

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

In many urban and peri urban households , women bear the responsibilities of looking for fuel and cooking for their families despite their lack of monetary capacity. The women depend on a daily upkeep amount of less than two dollars left by their husbands as they go out to pursue their casual job. This amount of money is what the women have to allocate for their daily basic needs i.e. food, water, fuel and save some for their merry go rounds. The money is not enough. Through the bio briquettes , that are cheaper and that burn longer than the traditional charcoal, these women will be able to afford their daily cooking and heating fuel and save on the amount of fuel needed . Through the savings the women will be able to afford other basic needs and increase their merry go rounds savings sustainable alleviating poverty in their households and in the community.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Climate change has significantly contributed to food and nutrition insecurity in the world and consequently leading to increased prices of food. In the urban centers, households primarily depend on food from the markets since land for farming is limited. The bio briquettes which are cheaper and have a high caloric value for cooking and heating will enable these households to save on fuel and saving enough money to purchase adequate food for their families. The savings will also enable them make good dietary choices thereby contributing to enhanced food security and improved nutrition.

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

The clean energy bio briquettes will significantly contribute to the good health and well being for all at all ages due to their ability to reduce the indoor air pollution. The traditional charcoal and wood for cooking and heating are known for their contribution to respiratory illnesses due to the amount of smoke and soot they produce. Women and children are more affected by this respiratory illnesses as they are more involved in cooking and heating. With the use and adoption of the bio briquettes , they will acquire good health and well being at all times.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The high cost of fuel in Kenya and particularly in the urban centers where they solely depend on the traditional charcoal and gas for cooking and heating could limit parents / guardians ability to consistently raise the amount of school fees required for their children's education forcing the children to stay out of school every now and then. This directly impacts on the quality of education for the children. The bio briquettes are cheaper and affordable for cooking and heating which will help the parents save for their children's education. In the rural areas where women and girls are forced to walk for long distances in search of fuel limiting their time to access quality education, the bio briquettes will help reduce the time spent in search of fuel and allow girls and girls time to access quality education. The bio briquettes will reduce respiratory diseases that keep children out of school enabling them to consistently access quality education.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

My bio briquettes project is highly committed to gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. Women and girls bear the responsibility of cooking for their families despite their little or no income. With the low cost of the bio briquettes, the women will easily afford them and have some money left to join the women saving groups and thereby empowering themselves economically. During, cooking and heating, women and girls’ good health and well-being is affected by the respiratory illnesses due to the smoke and soot emitted by the traditional charcoal. With the smokeless bio briquettes, their health and well-being will be enhanced and they will be able to engage in other social economical activities like the men. The traditional charcoal business is primarily dominated by men who are able to do the heavy tasks of cutting down trees and burning charcoal. The bio briquettes are easy to produce and provide an opportunity for the women to own the bio briquettes businesses.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

The environmental waste contributes significantly to water pollution and poor sanitation. Through the sustainable utilization and management of the organic waste from homes, businesses, markets and landfills by converting it into clean energy bio briquettes, we will contribute to clean water and sanitation for all.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Affordable and clean energy are at the core of my clean energy bio briquettes project. Cooking and heating fuel prices have increasingly gone high due to the rising cost of living in Kenya. The clean energy bio briquettes are made from locally available raw materials and they are easy to produce hence making them cheaper and more affordable than the traditional charcoal and wood. The clean energy bio briquettes are nearly smokeless unlike the traditional charcoal, making them effective for clean cooking and heating . The bio briquettes are reliable and renewable sources of energy as they are made from the organic waste.

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

The bio briquettes project will provide a number of employment opportunities ranging from non skilled to skilled professionals in the various subsectors of production from waste collection, sorting, drying, carbonization, briquetting , sales and marketing among others. The project will mostly target the women and youths who are the most affected by the high unemployment rate in the country to promote productive and decent work for their sustainable economic growth. Through formal business registration and consistent payment of businesses licenses required, the bio briquettes project will significantly contribute to sustainable national economic growth

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

The clean energy bio briquettes sector is continuously evolving a clear indication that a lot of mechanization and business infrastructure will be enhanced. My clean energy bio briquettes project is committed to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation through adoption of modern locally fabricated technologies to ease and maximize the production process. These technologies will range from drying machines, briquetting machines, energy saving cooking stoves among others.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

The clean energy bio briquettes project contribute to reduced inequalities through a number of ways by addressing social, economical and environmental inequalities. The bio briquettes contribute to clean and affordable energy for cooking and heating making them accessible to the low income households and therefore bridging the energy poverty gap. The bio briquettes significantly contribute to sustainable environmental and health benefits leading to improved air quality and health especially in the low income communities that are worst affected by indoor air pollution from the use of the traditional charcoal and wood. The project will promote sustainable and decent employment opportunities especially for the women and youth who face limited work opportunities. The project will promote gender equality by promoting women and girls health and enhancing their economic growth through employment opportunities and enabled savings due to their affordability.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

The clean energy bio briquettes project promote sustainable cities and communities in various ways. The bio briquettes contribute to sustainable waste management and utilization in the urban centers as they involve recycling of the organic waste from homes, markets and landfills. The bio briquettes contribute to reduced urban pollution as they produce less smoke leading to enhanced indoor air quality and reduced carbon and green house gases emissions from land fills. The bio briquettes promote economic and social benefits through creation of job opportunities to the unemployed youths and consequently reducing the societal crime rate. The briquettes contribute to improved health for the urban city dwellers due to the reduction of indoor air pollution especially in densely populated cities.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

The bio briquettes promote sustainable consumption and production patterns through circular economy in a number of ways. Through their renewable nature, the bio briquettes provide a sustainable source of energy for cooking and heating. Their high energy efficiency levels promote reduced energy consumption. The bio briquettes contribute to reduced deforestation leading to an improved ecosystem that promotes biodiversity and sustainable environments. The bio briquettes enhance sustainable waste management and promote the circular economy through the recycling of organic waste from landfills in to clean energy .

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The bio briquettes promote sustainable consumption and production patterns through circular economy in a number of ways. Through their renewable nature, the bio briquettes provide a sustainable source of energy for cooking and heating. Their high energy efficiency levels promote reduced energy consumption. The bio briquettes contribute to reduced deforestation leading to an improved ecosystem that promotes biodiversity and sustainable environments. The bio briquettes enhance sustainable waste management and promote the circular economy through the recycling of organic waste from landfills in to clean energy .

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

The bio briquettes project contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas marine resources by addressing the environmental challenges that negatively impact on the marine ecosystem. The bio briquettes contribute to reduced marine pollution through the sustainable utilization and management of the organic waste that could end up in the water bodies. Recycling the organic waste into bio briquettes helps reduce carbon and green house gases emissions that affect life in the marine ecosystem. Adoption of bio briquettes will reduce reliance on fossil fuels and oils subsequently reducing the oil spillage in to the water bodies. The bio briquettes will help in reduction of deforestation and the conservation of forests that reduce soil erosion and sedimentation in the water bodies. The mangrove trees will be conserved to help improve the marine ecosystem.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

The clean energy bio briquettes project will play a significant role in protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable life on land. The bio briquettes helps in preserving forests and reducing deforestation by reducing over reliance on trees for traditional charcoal and wood. The trees play a key role in promoting biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Through sustainable waste management and utilization, the bio briquettes promote sustainable land use by reducing soil and water pollution and reducing soil erosion through reduced deforestation. Some of the residues in the bio briquettes production process particularly the biochar enhances soil fertility and quality promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The bio briquettes significantly contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation through the reduced carbon and green house gases emissions due to their nearly smokeless nature

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

6

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

The bio briquettes project promotes peace, justice and strong institutions in various ways. Through the reduction in over reliance of trees and forests for traditional charcoal and wood, the bio briquettes promote peace in the communities where forests and wood bring about conflicts for resources. The bio briquettes significantly contribute to environmental justice for all through the sustainable organic waste management and utilization into clean energy . Engaging the local communities in bio briquettes production through creation of employment opportunities for the women and youth will contribute to community development which will translate to sustainable and inclusive societies .

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

The bio briquettes project promotes peace, justice and strong institutions in various ways. Through the reduction in over reliance of trees and forests for traditional charcoal and wood, the bio briquettes promote peace in the communities where forests and wood bring about conflicts for resources. The bio briquettes significantly contribute to environmental justice for all through the sustainable organic waste management and utilization into clean energy . Engaging the local communities in bio briquettes production through creation of employment opportunities for the women and youth will contribute to community development which will translate to sustainable and inclusive societies .

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.

6

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

The bio briquettes project is unique and innovative through a number of ways. The bio briquettes are made from organic waste generated from homes, farms, markets, businesses and land fills unlike the traditional charcoal and wood that are ,made from cutting down of trees. The bio briquettes are high in calorific value compared to the traditional charcoal and waste contributing highly to energy reduced amount of energy needed. The bio briquettes are cheaper than the traditional charcoal contributing to reduced energy poverty in low income areas. Unlike the traditional charcoal and wood, the bio briquettes are nearly smokeless contributing highly to reduced indoor air pollution and the related respiratory illnesses. The bio briquettes contribute significantly to climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience through reduced deforestation and reduced carbon and green house gases emissions from landfills.

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

The bio briquettes project is unique and innovative through a number of ways. The bio briquettes are made from organic waste generated from homes, farms, markets, businesses and land fills unlike the traditional charcoal and wood that are ,made from cutting down of trees. The bio briquettes are high in calorific value compared to the traditional charcoal and waste contributing highly to energy reduced amount of energy needed. The bio briquettes are cheaper than the traditional charcoal contributing to reduced energy poverty in low income areas. Unlike the traditional charcoal and wood, the bio briquettes are nearly smokeless contributing highly to reduced indoor air pollution and the related respiratory illnesses. The bio briquettes contribute significantly to climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience through reduced deforestation and reduced carbon and green house gases emissions from landfills.

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

I have not yet initiated actions in my community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs because my project is in the ideation stage. However, once my business grows, I will be at the fore front supporting the role of women and girls entrpreneurs.