Countries all over the world are concerned about the vicious circle of environmental degradation and climate change. One main challenge is the depletion of forest resources for energy generation. At the same time, in the absence of recycling practices, domestic and industrial waste generated by ever-increasing urban populations create additional health and environmental concerns. This context calls for safer, cleaner and more reliable energy sources for household, commercial and industrial processes, thus avoiding the overdependence on non-renewable energy resources. 

While research has long been proposing biofuels, bio-briquettes and other biomass-related energy resources, logistical intricacies still hinder their development and delivery at reduced environmental and economic costs. New energy resources must address environmental challenges during production and use and be affordable for the average consumer.

Ebonyi State University in Nigeria is implementing the From Waste to Wealth project, with individual support, to develop smokeless bio-briquettes from domestic waste as a way of managing and decreasing environmental waste and reducing overdependence on fossil fuels. This replicable green technology addresses both the production process and the energy resource’s final use, through efficient smokeless burning, with fewer by-products. 

The production process involves sorting and classification of waste (from households, factories, offices and other areas), carbonization of waste using an environmentally friendly method with zero release of greenhouse gases and compounding the carbonized bio-waste by incorporating a desulphurization agent and binder. Thus, the milled carbonized biochar is mixed with binders (limestone, clay) and water to arrive at a homogeneous paste that can agglomerate. Different formulations are made by varying the percentages of the biochar, binders and water. The blended samples are introduced in a machine that moulds the blends into briquettes. The briquettes are air dried and compared with oven-dried samples. The contents are evaluated to find an end-product that is affordable, reliable and safe. 

This alternative energy resource is intended to replace firewood and would be advocated for large populations in many developing nations. As the heat from the bio-briquettes is steady, it can be used for household heating and cooking as well as commercial purposes. The by-product (bio-briquette ash) is fully reusable and is a good source of organic fertilizer and a soil amendment agent. The entire process is a win-win procedure that will help reduce deforestation and desertification.

The production of smokeless bio-briquettes from waste will:

1. reduce if not completely replace the use of environmentally unsafe kerosene, gas and fuelwood for household and commercial cooking, which leads to greenhouse effect and threatens the environment. Smokeless bio-briquettes from waste are an excellent replacement because they do not add more carbon to the environment;
2. address the issue of waste management, utilization and disposal. There is an unhealthy culture of indiscriminate waste disposal in Nigeria and other countries which leads to environmental problems ranging from aesthetic impairment to diseases, such as cholera and Lassa fever. This work will incorporate sorting of waste from dump sites generated from household and commercial sources and utilizing this waste for the production of clean and safe solid cooking fuels;
3. provide employment opportunities and create an export commodity when produced on a commercial scale; and
4. provide a new domestic solid fuel to the Nigerian and foreign market, which reduces pressure on kerosene, gas and fuelwood demand.

This project will positively impact individuals, government and industries. Specifically, it will help individuals and households that depend on kerosene, gas and fuelwood by providing a cheaper and safer product and commercial restaurants and industries will be able to shift from the use of other energy resources to greener, safer and cheaper bio-briquettes. The bio-briquettes will not smoke when in use which ensures clean cooking and a cleaner environment. Their use is particularly beneficial to areas threatened by desertification. As local artisans will be used in construction and installation of bio-briquette plants, local technological development will result. In addition, raw materials and utilities required for the project will be locally sourced and burning appliances locally produced.

Bio-briquettes have been tested and their effectiveness established in Nigeria. The technology is being applied in communities in Ebonyi State, including the Ebonyi State University community and Agbaja Unuhu community where 100 jobless individuals, including youth, are engaged in a profitable venture as a source of income through waste scavenging, sorting and conversion. 

With financing support, larger scale production would be possible. The solution’s replication is easy and does not require sophisticated technical approaches; even unskilled persons can be trained in the processes. Thus, the prospects of adopting the solution in other developing nations with a similar context in which untreated waste and use of firewood are widespread are promising.