DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/ijred.2.1.19-29

Implications of Charcoal Briquette Produced by Local Communities on Livelihoods and Environment in Nairobi- Kenya

1University of Nairobi, Box 30197-00100 Nairobi, KENYA, Kenya

2 World Agroforestry Centre, Box 30677-00100, Nairobi, KENYA, Kenya

3University of Tsukuba, Japan

4 World Agroforestry Centre, Box 30677-00100, Nairobi,, Kenya

5 University of Nairobi, Box 30197-00100 Nairobi,, Kenya

6 RUAF-Foundation (International Network of Resource Centres on Urban Agriculture and Food Security),, Netherlands

7 Kastanjelaan 5, 3833 AN Leusden, t, Netherlands

8 Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7032, 750 07 Uppsala,, Sweden

View all affiliations
Published: 4 Feb 2013.
Editor(s): H. Hadiyanto

Citation Format:
Abstract
The residents of Nairobi, Kenya, use 700 tonnes of charcoal per day, producing about88 tonnes of charcoal dust that is found in most of the charcoal retailing stalls that is disposed of inwater drainage systems or in black garbage heaps. The high costs of cooking fuel results in poorhouseholds using unhealthy materials such as plastic waste. Further, poor households are opting tocook foods that take a short time to prepare irrespective of their nutritional value. This articlepresents experiences with community self-help groups producing charcoal fuel briquettes fromcharcoal dust in poorer nieghbourhoods of Nairobi for home use and sale. Households thatproduced charcoal fuel briquettes for own use and those that bought them saved 70% and 30% ofmoney spent on cooking energy respectively. The charcoal fuel briquettes have been found to beenvironmentally beneficial since they produce less smoke and increase total cooking energy bymore than 15%, thereby saving an equivalent volume of trees that would be cut down for charcoal.Charcoal briquette production is a viable opportunity for good quality and affordable cooking fuel.Bioenergy and waste management initiatives should promote recovery of organic by-products forcharcoal briquette production.
Fulltext View|Download

Article Metrics:

Article Info
Section: Original Research Article
Language : EN
Recent articles
Power Quality Improvement Wind Energy System Using Cascaded Multilevel Inverter Economic Impact of CDM Implementation through Alternate Energy Resource Substitution Solar PV Lighting and Studying after Sunset: Analysis of Micro-benefits in Off-grid Rural Ghana More recent articles
Most cited articles
Performance Analysis of Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithms Under Varying Irradiation Wind Energy Potential at Badin and Pasni Costal Line of Pakistan Development of Briquette from Coir Dust and Rice Husk Blend: An Alternative Energy Source Characteristics of Waste Plastics Pyrolytic Oil and Its Applications as Alternative Fuel on Four Cylinder Diesel Engines Study of Fabricated Solar Dryer of Tomato Slices under Jordan Climate Condition More cited articles
  1. Bailis R, Ezzati M, Kammen D (2005) Mortality and greenhouse gas impacts of biomass and petroleum energy futures in Africa, Science 308: 98–103
  2. Chidumayo EN, Masialeti I, Ntalasha H, Kalumiana OS (2002) Charcoal potential for Southern Africa. Zambia final report. University of Zambia/European Union. INCO-DEV 1998-2001
  3. Chou, C-S Lin S-H, Lu W-C (2009) Preparation and characterization of solid biomass fuel made from rice straw and rice bran. Fuel Process Tech. 90: 980–987
  4. Ezzati M, Lopez AD, Rodgers A, Vander Hoorn S, Murray, CJ (2002) Comparative risk assessment collaborating group. Selected major risk factors and global and regional burden of disease. Lancet 2 (360):1347–1360
  5. Felfli F, Juan M, Mesa, P, Rocha J, Filippetto D, Luengo C, Pippo W, (2010) Biomass briquetting and its perspectives in Brazil. Biomass and Bioenergy 1-7
  6. Findlay A (1963) Practical physical chemistry. Longman Publishing.pp192
  7. Fuwape JA (1993) Charcoal and fuel value of agroforestry tree crops. Agroforestry Syst 22: 175-179
  8. Gathui T, Wairimu N (2010) Bioenergy and Poverty in Kenya: Attitudes, Actors and Activities. Working Paper. Practical Action Consulting
  9. Gitonga S (1997) Biogas promotion in Kenya. A review of experiences. Practical Action, UK
  10. Gominho J, Lourenco A, Miranda I, Pereira H (2012) Chemical and fuel properties of stumps biomass from Eucalyptus globulus plantations. Ind Crop and Prod. 39: 12– 16
  11. GTZ (2007) Eastern Africa Resource Base: GTZ Online Regional Energy Resource Base: Regional and Country Specific Energy Resource Database: II - Energy Resource
  12. Hecht AD, Shaw D,Bruins R, Dale V, Kline K, Chen A (2009) Good policy follows good science: using criteria and indicators for assessing sustainable biofuel production. Ecotoxicol. 18: 1–4
  13. ITDG-EA (2003) ‘Nairobi solid waste management network’ [Online], Available by WasteNet http://www.wastenet.or.ke/ (posted 09.05.04; verified 11.02.04)
  14. JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) (1997) Economic infrastructure. Master plan study of Nairobi
  15. Karekezi S (2002) Renewables in Africa—meeting the energy needs of the poor. Energ Policy 30: 1059–1069
  16. Kituyi E (2004) Towards sustainable production and use of charcoal in Kenya: exploring the potential in life cycle management approach. J Cleaner Production 12: 1047–1057
  17. Kituyi E, Marufu L, Wandiga S, Jumba I, Andreae M, Helas G (2001) Carbon monoxide and nitric oxide from biofuel fires in Kenya. Energ Convers Manage 42 (13): 1517-1542
  18. McBridea AC, Dalea VH, Baskarana LM, Downinga ME, Eatona LM, Efroymsona RA, Garten CT, Klinea KL, Jagera H, Mulhollanda PJ, Parisha ES, Schweizera PE, Storey JM (2011) Indicators to support environmental sustainability of bioenergy systems. Ecological Indicators 11: 1277–1289
  19. Ministry of Energy, (MoE), Government of Kenya, (2002) Study on Kenya’s energy demand, supply and policy strategy for households, small scale industries and service establishments, Final Report, May, KAMFOR Company Ltd., September
  20. Ministry of Energy, (MoE). Government of Kenya, (2009) Proposed National Biofuel Policy
  21. Ministry of Planning and National Development, Kenya (2003) Economic Survey
  22. Mugo F, Nungo R, Odongo F, Chavangi N, Abaru M (2007) An assessment of the energy saving potential and heat loss pattern in fireless cooking for selected commonly foods in Kenya. CARPA working paper series, No. 2
  23. Mutimba S and Barasa M (2005) National charcoal survey: Summary report. Exploring the potential for a sustainable charcoal industry in Kenya. Energy for Sustainable Development Africa (ESDA)
  24. Nasrin AB, MaA N, Choo YM, Mohamad S, Rohaya MH, Azali A, Zainal Z (2008) Oil palm biomass as potential substitution raw materials for commercial biomass briquettes production. Am. J. Appl. Sci., 5(3): 179-183
  25. Ngeregeza F (2003) Notes on a roundtable discussion on the status of the charcoal industry in Tanzania. Environmental Officer, Vice-President’s Office, Division of Environment. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  26. Njenga M, Karanja N, Jamnadass R, Kithinji J, Sundberg, C, and Jirjis R (in press) Quality of Briquettes Produced Locally from Charcoal Dust and Sawdust in Kenya. J. Biobased Materials and Bioenergy
  27. Njenga M, Romney, Karanja N, Gathuru K, Kimani S, Carsan S, Frost W, (2010) Recycling nutrients from organic wastes in Kenya’s capital city. In Prain, G., Karanja, N., Lee-Smith, D., eds. African urban harvest: Agriculture in the cities of Cameroon, Kenya and Uganda. IDRC CIP/Urban Harvest.193-212
  28. Odoemenem IU, Obinne CPO (2010) Assessing the factors influencing the utilization of improved cereal crop production technologies by small-scale farmers in Nigeria. Indian J Science and Technol 3 (1): 180-183
  29. Okello BD, O'Connor TG, Young TP (2001) Growth, biomass estimates, and charcoal production of Acacia drepanolobium in Laikipia, Kenya. Forest Ecol and Manag 142: 143-153
  30. Ölz S, Sims R, Kirchne N (2007) Contribution of renewables to energy security. International Energy Agency
  31. Rousseta P, Caldeira-Piresb A, Sablowskic A, Thiago Rodriguesd T, (2011) LCA of eucalyptus wood charcoal briquettes. J Cleaner Production 19 (14): 1647-1653
  32. Shepherd K, Walsh M (2007) Infrared spectroscopy-enabling an evidence-based diagnostic surveillance approach to agricultural and environmental management in developing countries. J Near Infrared Spec 15: 1-19
  33. Sotannde OA, Oluyege AO, Abah GB (2010a) Physical and combustion properties of charcoal briquettes from neem wood residues. Int. Agrophysics. 24: 189-194
  34. Sotannde OA, Oluyege AO, Abah GB (2010b) Physical and combustion properties of briquet from sawdust of Azadirachtaindica. J Forestry Research 21 (1): 63-67
  35. Suarez JA, Luengo CA, Fonseca FF, Bezzon G, Beaton PA (2000) Thermochemical properties of Cuban biomass. Energ Sources. 22: 851-867
  36. Terra Nuova and AMREF-Kenya (2007) Briquette technology. An informative research report on briquette making technology in Kenya
  37. UNEP Year Book (2011) Emerging issues in our global environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi
  38. UN-HABITAT (2010) State of the World's Cities 2010/2011 - Cities for All: Bridging the Urban Divide. EARTHSCAN, London and Washington DC
  39. UN-Habitat (2006) Nairobi urban sector profile. UN-Habitat Nairobi
  40. Van Loo S, Koppejan J eds (2009) The handbook of biomass combustion and co-firing. Earthscan UK and USA
  41. Wamukonya L, Jenkins B (1995) Durability and relaxation of sawdust and wheat-straw briquettes as possible fuels for Kenya. Biomass and Bioenergy 8: 175–179
  42. Wilaipon P (2007) Physical characteristics of maize cob briquette under moderate die pressure. Am. J. App. Sci., 4: 995-998
  43. Yigard MM (2002) Woodfuel policy and legislation in Ethiopia: In: Mugo, F., Ong, C., 2006. Lessons of Eastern Africa’s unsustainable charcoal trade. ICRAF Working Paper no. 20. Nairobi, Kenya. World Agroforestry Centre

Last update:

  1. Circular economy use of biomass residues to alleviate poverty, environment, and health constraints

    Sammy Aso, Chijioke Osuji, Madu Iwe, Simeon Achinewhu. Reciklaza i odrzivi razvoj, 16 (1), 2023. doi: 10.5937/ror2301015A

  2. Modification of charcoal briquette using binding agents improving the product quality: A review

    S. Silviana, H. Hadiyanto, W. Widayat, Febio Dalanta, Afriza Ni’matus Sa’adah. THE 6TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (ICENIS) 2021: Topic of Energy, Environment, Epidemiology, and Information System, 2683 , 2023. doi: 10.1063/5.0124929

  3. Decentralized options for faecal sludge management in urban slum areas of Sub-Saharan Africa: A review of technologies, practices and end-uses

    Swaib Semiyaga, Mackay A.E. Okure, Charles B. Niwagaba, Alex Y. Katukiza, Frank Kansiime. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 104 , 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.09.001

  4. “The Problem is a Lack of Firewood”: Charcoal briquettes for cooking energy in refugee and host communities

    M. Njenga, M. Iiyama, Y. Terada, D. Kitenge, J.K. Gitau, R. Kinuthia, R. Mendum. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 9 , 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.100852

  5. Household Fuel Consumption Based on Multiple Fuel Use Strategies: A Case Study in Kibera Slums

    Aya Yonemitsu, Mary Njenga, Miyuki Iiyama, Shusuke Matsushita. APCBEE Procedia, 10 , 2014. doi: 10.1016/j.apcbee.2014.10.062

  6. The carbon footprints of alternative value chains for biomass energy for cooking in Kenya and Tanzania

    Abigael Okoko, Juergen Reinhard, Susanne Wymann von Dach, Rainer Zah, Boniface Kiteme, Samuel Owuor, Albrecht Ehrensperger. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 22 , 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.seta.2017.02.017

  7. Integrating wood fuels into agriculture and food security agendas and research in sub-Saharan Africa

    Ruth Mendum, Mary Njenga, Wenda K. Bauchspies. FACETS, 3 (1), 2018. doi: 10.1139/facets-2017-0032

  8. Manihot glaziovii-Bonded and Bioethanol-Infused Charcoal Dust Briquettes: A New Route of Addressing Sustainability, Ignition, and Food Security Issues in Briquette Production

    Lynder E. Gesase, Cecil K. King’ondu, Yusufu A. C. Jande. BioEnergy Research, 13 (1), 2020. doi: 10.1007/s12155-019-10076-9

  9. Sustainable Access to Energy in the Global South

    Kevin S. Kung, Samuel Wanderi Rigu, Steve Kariithi Karau, Kamau Gachigi, Libby McDonald. 2015. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-20209-9_8

  10. Additional cooking fuel supply and reduced global warming potential from recycling charcoal dust into charcoal briquette in Kenya

    M. Njenga, N. Karanja, H. Karlsson, R. Jamnadass, M. Iiyama, J. Kithinji, C. Sundberg. Journal of Cleaner Production, 81 , 2014. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.06.002

  11. A Choice Experiment Study on Fuel Preference of Kibera Slum Households in Kenya

    Aya Yonemitsu, Mary Njenga, Miyuki Iiyama, Shusuke Matsushita. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, 6 (3), 2015. doi: 10.7763/IJESD.2015.V6.589

Last update: 2024-11-25 04:26:35

  1. Decentralized options for faecal sludge management in urban slum areas of Sub-Saharan Africa: A review of technologies, practices and end-uses

    Swaib Semiyaga, Mackay A.E. Okure, Charles B. Niwagaba, Alex Y. Katukiza, Frank Kansiime. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 104 , 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.09.001

  2. Assessing the effect of charcoal production and use on the transition to a green economy in Kenya

    Onekon W.. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 19 (3), 2016.

  3. The carbon footprints of alternative value chains for biomass energy for cooking in Kenya and Tanzania

    Abigael Okoko, Juergen Reinhard, Susanne Wymann von Dach, Rainer Zah, Boniface Kiteme, Samuel Owuor, Albrecht Ehrensperger. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 22 , 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.seta.2017.02.017

  4. Integrating wood fuels into agriculture and food security agendas and research in sub-Saharan Africa

    Ruth Mendum, Mary Njenga, Wenda K. Bauchspies. FACETS, 3 (1), 2018. doi: 10.1139/facets-2017-0032

  5. Manihot glaziovii-Bonded and Bioethanol-Infused Charcoal Dust Briquettes: A New Route of Addressing Sustainability, Ignition, and Food Security Issues in Briquette Production

    Lynder E. Gesase, Cecil K. King’ondu, Yusufu A. C. Jande. BioEnergy Research, 13 (1), 2020. doi: 10.1007/s12155-019-10076-9

  6. Additional cooking fuel supply and reduced global warming potential from recycling charcoal dust into charcoal briquette in Kenya

    M. Njenga, N. Karanja, H. Karlsson, R. Jamnadass, M. Iiyama, J. Kithinji, C. Sundberg. Journal of Cleaner Production, 81 , 2014. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.06.002

  7. A choice experiment study on the fuel preference of Kibera slum households in Kenya

    Yonemitsu A.. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 127 , 2014. doi: 10.2495/ESUS140731

  8. The economic viability of a locally fabricated honeycomb briquetting machine for small and medium entrepreneurship

    Green M.. Proceedings of the 25th Conference on the Domestic Use of Energy, DUE 2017, 2017. doi: 10.23919/DUE.2017.7931829

  9. Techno-economic feasibility of green charcoal production in Kenya

    Kung K.S.. Sustainable Access to Energy in the Global South: Essential Technologies and Implementation Approaches, 2015. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-20209-9_8

  10. Innovative biomass cooking approaches for sub-Saharan Africa

    Njenga M.. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 19 (1), 2019. doi: 10.18697/AJFAND.84.BLFB1031