Burning bright: Eco-briquettes light the path to a greener future

Grace Gitiha (right) packages briquettes. Gitiha's company is a beacon of hope for a cleaner, greener future. [Courtesy]

The comparison of the two scenarios of the same place bothered me," she shared. Her inspiration didn't stop there; she also drew motivation from the late Nobel Peace laureate Wangari Maathai, whose fight against deforestation deeply moved her.

Thus, Green Eco Solutions Ltd was born, bringing "Makaa Tunza Briquettes" to the world. Gitiha's company is more than just a business; it's a beacon of hope for a cleaner, greener future. She passionately states, "Green Eco Solutions Ltd continuously researches and develops creative, sustainable, and effective methods to advance the clean cooking agenda and contribute to climate action supporting SDG7 and SDG13, respectively."

The production of briquettes often utilizes agricultural and forestry waste materials that would otherwise go unused or contribute to landfill waste. By converting these waste materials into a valuable energy source, briquette production supports a circular economy and reduces the burden on waste management systems.

Naivasha, known for its abundant flower farms, is not exempt from waste problems. Gitiha plans to utilize flower farm waste as an alternative raw material source, strengthening the circular economy and reducing waste accumulation.

But Gitiha's journey wasn't without hurdles. She did her homework, learning that briquettes were an eco-friendly alternative to traditional wood-based charcoal. "I gathered more information online on making briquettes. I found that it was not an easy task, and it required a lot of hard work and dedication, but I was determined to succeed," she recalled.

Her success isn't hers alone; she's actively involving youth and women in the production process. "The youth collect, load, offload, and carbonize raw materials. Women sort raw materials, collect, package, and weigh finished products," she proudly shared.

The use of briquettes can play a pivotal role in mitigating deforestation. In regions where firewood is the primary source of fuel, deforestation poses a severe threat to ecosystems and contributes to habitat loss and soil erosion. By promoting the use of briquettes, we reduce the demand for firewood, thus helping to conserve precious forests and protect biodiversity.

Her "Makaa Tunza Briquettes" are not just environmentally friendly; they're affordable too. Available in 2kilograms packs for Sh 150, 5kg packs for Sh 300, and 50kg sacks for Sh 1800.

But Grace Gitiha's story is more than just a tale of entrepreneurship; it's a call to action. She hopes her journey will inspire others to join her in the fight against deforestation, just as she was inspired by the indomitable Prof. Wangari Maathai.