Ghana - Business creation project

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

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 Décrivez votre projet en détail

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 Quel est le problème principal que vous essayez de résoudre ?

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 Dites-nous quels sont les principaux avantages et/ou bénéfices de l'utilisation du produit/service que vous souhaitez fournir par votre projet (au moins 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 Veuillez décrire précisément à qui s'adressera le produit/service de votre projet. Quels sont les bénéficiaires visés ?

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 Quand avez-vous commencé à travailler sur votre projet ?

01/01/2024

01.06 Combien y a-t-il de propriétaires sur votre projet en plus de vous ?

2

01.07 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

0

01.08 Veuillez décrire le profil des autres propriétaires de votre projet (compétences, expérience, 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 Si vous avez un site web, une page sur les médias sociaux (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin...) ou une application, veuillez fournir le(s) lien(s) ici :

01.10 Quel est le secteur d'activité qui décrit le mieux votre projet ?

b) Matériaux (agriculture, pêche, produits chimiques, matériaux de construction, conteneurs et emballages, métaux et mines, papier et produits forestiers)

02.01.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Pas de pauvreté'

2

02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.02.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Faim Zéro'

5

02.02.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Bonne Santé et Bien Être'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.03.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Éducaiton de Qualité'

4

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.05.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Égalité entre les Sexes'

4

02.05.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.06.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Eau Propre et Assainissement'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Énergie Propre et Abordable'

3

02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.08.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Travail Décent et Croissance Économique'

5

02.08.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Industrie, Innovaiton et Infrastructure'

4

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.10.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Réduction des Inégalités'

4

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.11.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Villes et Communautés Durables'

5

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Consommation et Production Responsable'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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

02.13.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Luttle contre les Changements Climatiques'

5

02.13.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Sous-Marine'

5

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projetp contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Terrestre'

4

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.16.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Paix, Justice et Institutions Efficaces'

4

02.16.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.17.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Parteneriats pour la Réalisation des Objectifs'

3

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

05.01 Il existe un grand nombre de clients qui utilisent déjà un produit/service très similaire à celui que nous envisageons de créer.

2

05.02 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer représente un type de produit/service entièrement nouveau

5

05.03 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer pourrait être décrit comme une nouvelle technologie

3

05.04 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer est une amélioration d'un produit ou d'un service existant

5

05.05 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer pourrait être décrit comme une extension d'une gamme de produits ou de services

1 - Pas du tout d'accord

05.06 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer répond à une demande ou à un besoin qui n'a pas été satisfait par d'autres produits/services.

5

05.07 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer est une nouvelle version d'un ancien produit/service

1 - Pas du tout d'accord

05.08 Justification de mon projet

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 Qui sont vos principaux potentiels concurrents et qu'est-ce qui vous différencie d'eux ?

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 Menez-vous des actions au sein de votre communauté pour promouvoir le rôle des femmes entrepreneurs ?

No