Meet the African entrepreneurs creating successful businesses “out of toilets”

Mildred Europa Taylor November 19, 2018

Meet the African entrepreneurs creating successful businesses "out of toilets"

Nawasco MD James Ng’ang’a and staff members inspect dried human waste briquettes — Star

James Ng’ang’a Gachathi

He is the managing director of Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company, a Kenyan company that takes the excess faecal waste from residents in Nakuru, a city in Kenya, and transforms it into a usable fuel source for cooking and heating. Essentially, the company is making briquettes – a block of compressed charcoal or coal dust used as fuel — from human waste. The process involves a kiln burning away moisture and venting gases from human waste. The end product is safe, odour-free and ready to burn.

“This tackles lack of sewers and need for sustainable fuel supplies. While the idea of cooking with human waste makes some people squeamish, residents have adopted the briquettes,” Ng’ang’a said this year.

The project is helping to reduce pollution related to dirty fuels such as petrol and conventional charcoal, the company adds.

Last Edited by:Nduta Waweru Updated: November 19, 2018

Conversations

Must Read

Connect with us

Join our Mailing List to Receive Updates