Utilization of wood waste, Uganda

Project name:

Utilization of wood waste (saw dust) to production of fire starters and briquettes

Project location: Uganda
The project is located in central part of Uganda at National Forestry Resource Research Institute (NaFORRI) which is one of the 16 institutes of National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) P. O.BOX 1752, KAMPALA UGANDA

Website: http://www.naforri.org.ug/

Project description:

This project is aimed at utilising wood waste for alternative products for additional income generation and sustainable use of tree resources in Uganda. It is a demand driven project arising from the need to harness the potential of the increasing wood wastes in the country.

1. Charcoal fire starters / fuel lighters are produced from saw dust after cutting trees or sawing tree logs into timber and candle wax using a press machine. The saw dust is crushed to fairly granular particles and then dried to a low moisture content of about 8-10%. The candle wax is then melted which is then mixed with crushed saw dust. The mixture is then fed into a simple press machine to produce charcoal fire lighters. This is then packed and distributed to market for sale.

2. Briquettes are made by converting waste wood into char (carbonisation).The sawdust is dried at a moisture content of about 8% to 12% before carbonization. The sawdust is burnt at high temperatures in a confined container (carboniser) under limited supply of air to produce char which is then be crushed into powder using a locally fabricated crusher. The char is mixed with binder and water in a ratio of 4: 1:2 to form semisolid paste. The semisolid paste will then be compressed to form briquettes.

Goal and purpose of the project:

The project will result in enhancement of wood waste utilisation and commercialisation of the wood waste products thus contributing to job creation particularly for the youths, income generation and sustainable utilisation of forest resources hence combating climate change in Uganda. The duration of this project is one year but the production and training centre for wood waste conversion technology will continue to create awareness and providing skills to the population particularly women and youths in wood waste utilisation. This will result in better utilisation of tree resources and hence a decrease in total amount of wood to be cut in the forests. The idea will address technologies which will make communities utilize their wood waste especially saw dust to produce commercial products like fire starters and briquettes to earn a living

Motivation of the applicant / applicant team:

My interests in developing ideas which can develop communities through research and hands on training on things they take for granted, yet actually they can be a source of income especially to my fellow youths which carry a large proportion of the country. This is the major motivator of my work and my ability to plan and execute project activities like monitoring and evaluation activity, coordinate with all stake holders, communicate and share knowledge of the project activities, out puts and impacts, prepare and submit mandatory reports and monitor and evaluate the project and prepare performance reports.

Use of prize money:

The prize will be used for the following
• Putting up a production training centre for production and training youths in wood waste utilisation to provide a lifelong learning opportunity to different youths.
• Workshops will also be used to exchange information on wood waste conversion and products
• Technical writing and publishing in local electronic and print media.
• Brochures, posters and catalogues will also be used to disseminate information.
All these will contribute to the Skilling Uganda Programme of the Government of Uganda that aims at creating employment to the increasing number of unemployed youths.