This archive report was first published on 8 July 2019.
Kenyan Project Turns Human Waste into Sustainable Fuel ¶
July 8, 2019
Residents in Nakuru, Kenya, are embracing a new, eco-friendly fuel source: briquettes made from human waste and sawdust. The innovative project, initiated in 2017, aims to reduce the country's reliance on charcoal and mitigate the risks associated with inadequate sanitation services.
Ms. Wanjiku, a small business owner in Nakuru West, has been using the briquettes for several months. She praises their efficiency, saying they last up to three hours and save her money on fuel costs.
"It has been quite a while since I embarked on using this briquettes. When you light your jiko, it takes up to three hours before you can think of adding some more charcoal," Ms. Wanjiku said.
The briquettes are manufactured by Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company (NAWASSCO) and are made from human waste and sawdust collected around the town. The process involves drying the waste, carbonizing it, and mixing it with sawdust and molasses to create the briquettes.
Kevin Ochieng, production supervisor at NAWASSCOAL, explained the process: "The carbonisation stage is where the dried waste is heated in a kiln at temperatures of about 700 to 800 degrees Celsius. All harmful gases are then burnt off eliminating the bad smell."
The project has received close to three million pounds in European Union grants for innovative ideas that have improved sanitation services. It has also played a major role in controlling the amount of waste being channeled into Lake Nakuru, one of Kenya's most iconic lakes.
NAWASSCO's briquettes business is now doing better than before, producing seven to eight tonnes of fuel monthly. The company sells the briquettes in different quantities, with the smallest bag costing Sh60 and the largest costing Sh1500.
