Manufacturing Charcoal from Human Waste (Poo) Collected

Kingtom, Sierra Leone: In an Era of 'Green World,' this project aims to protect the environment and improve sanitation, especially in impoverished areas. The charcoal is produced through carbonization to ensure no lingering smell from the human waste.

In recent decades, Sierra Leone has seen a significant increase in the commercial trading of timber and fuelwood products, largely due to the aftermath of the country's civil war.

Commercializing the production and trading of firewood for cooking fuel has led to rapid and alarming deforestation.

READ The impact of human activities on flooding in Freetown—deforestation has led to reduced vegetation cover, increasing soil erosion, and surface runoff.

This project aims to protect the environment and improve sanitation, especially in impoverished areas.

The charcoal is produced through a carbonization process to ensure no lingering smell from the human waste.

The waste product is initially collected and deposited at the treatment plant. The waste (feces) is separated from the liquid at the treatment facility, which then flows into a geo-bag. The fecal matter is then dried in a greenhouse for approximately two weeks, broken down into powder form, and placed in a kiln to produce charcoal briquettes.

Poop-based fuel briquettes—providing an alternative cooking-fuel source

The concept of producing sustainable fuel charcoal using human waste (feces) and sawdust was first introduced in Kenya by a company called Sanivation, creating a new fuel source for cooking.

“The Process In a Video.”

— The Mayor of Freetown, Freetown City Council: Yvonne Aki-sawyerr

By Theo Edwards for YAME