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GreenTech Company Ltd - fuel briquettes from groundnut shells combined with fuel efficient stoves
SEED Winner
Year of participation:2011
Region:Africa
Subject:Biofuels|Climate change adaptation/mitigation|Energy / Renewables
“GreenTech Company Ltd” markets briquettes made from groundnut shells in combination with fuel efficient stoves. Waste groundnut shells are transformed into affordable fuel briquettes which are distributed with fuel-efficient stoves produced by local welders. The new cooking stove system is piloted by partnering restaurants and school kitchens and promoted through women’s networks.
Original project description
GREENTECH'S INITIATIVE TO PRODUCE AND PROMOTE GROUNDNUTSHELL BRIQUETTES AND FUEL EFFICIENT STOVES
GreenTech Company Ltd is determined to provide affordable environmental solutions to The Gambia and beyond. Just established at the beginning of 2011, GreenTech started in August 2011 to press high quality fuel briquettes from groundnutshells and to research, design and promote fuel efficient stoves, which are now produced by local welders from recycled metal. The use of fuel briquettes and fuel efficient stoves, coupled with a 20 minute user training, seems to be the winning combination to provide an eco-friendly and economic alternative to the traditional, but inefficient cooking with charcoal or firewood in open stoves and fire places.
GreenTech is also determined to improve livelihoods at large, not only through employment, but also through the quality and design of its products and services. The combined use of briquettes in fuel efficient stoves also saves time and effort for the cooks: Briquettes in fuel efficient stoves cook a meal faster than on the traditional charcoal setting. GreenTech's innovative cooking unit also emits less visible smoke than the traditional firewood setting. These are especially benefits for women and children, who are most involved in the cooking process. After all, switching from charcoal in an open stove to briquettes in fuel efficient stoves can save a family 60% of their cooking fuel cost - providing savings that could well be spend on education or health matters.
The briquettes can also be used in restaurants, cantines or industries using heat from biomass for boilers or smokeries.
Nevertheless, GreenTech realised that a lot of sensitisation efforts are still lying ahead to convince potential users of the environmental and economic advantages. Therefore, diverse potential partners, who could also benefit from GreenTech's innovation, were contacted and following institutions responded with creative and promising proposals from their side for cooperate activities at the time, the SEED Award was announced.
GLOBAL UNIFICATION THE GAMBIA -YOUTH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY
As GreenTech management has been involved in the environmental sector even before the company was established, it has connection with Global Unification Gambia, a youth-led research organization with focus on an environmental advocacy from the beginning. Thus, plans have been developed for corporate sensitisation campaigns and actions. Currently, the Eco-Challenge, an inter-school competition, is in the making and more environmental activities at schools are on the plan. Further, multimedia activities, as radio programs, internet presentations and video clips are scheduled. The corporation is a win situation for sides, sharing resources, experiences and ideas to achieve optimum efficiency.
SCHOOL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD MANAGEMENT UNIT (SAFMU) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BASIC AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Sensitising the future generation
Current project updates
Last updated: 22 December 2011
Growth plans description
Multi Media Campaign for sensitisation and Promotion
Improved Delivery System
Decentralised Sales Points
Staff and Partner's Capacity Building and Taining
Extended Donation/Microfinancing/Subsidies Scheme
Improved Office Facilities
Extension of Partnerships and Collaboration Network
Increase of work shifts according to demand
Accomodation of 2nd Press according to demand
Current Needs
Finances/Funds/Grants
Activity coverage by national and international media
Competent and committed Staff and Partners
Capacity Building / Training
Access to donors/microfinancing/subsidies for fuel efficient stoves/briquettes
Legal Advise on MoU and contracts with collaborators and customers
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Our location
Contact details
Email:Contact winner
Website:www.greentechgambia.com
Country:Gambia
City:Banjul
Street:c/o Tabbal, Box 464, PO Banjul
Tel:00220-6762622, 00220-6662622, 00220-7811118
Fax:+4932121096525 (internet fax, please announce per e-mail
Project partners
Global Unification
Women Groups under Hans on Care
School Agriculture and Food Management Unit under Department for Basic and Secondary Education
Green Mamba Garden Restaurant
Green Mamba Experience
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