Waste Sawdust to Clean BriquettesProcessing sawdust from sawmills into valuable, clean-burning briquettes



The initiative processes waste sawdust from lumber mills into high-quality fuel briquettes, thereby reducing pollution levels and generating revenue for the local community. The Lagos Oko Baba mills produce large quantities of sawdust that in the past were incinerated. The initiative transforms this waste into a high-value, clean-burning marketable product. Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria) trains local sawmillers’ cooperatives to collect sawdust and convert it into various consumer products, primarily fuel briquettes. This product provides an alternative to existing fuels (such as fuel wood and charcoal) which is both higher quality and lower cost. There is significant potential to scale up the initiative as about one third of the log input of the more than 2,000 sawmills in the country currently ends up as incinerated waste.
Partners
Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria) trains sawmillers’ cooperatives to collect sawdust and convert it into various consumer products
Lagos Mainland Sawmillers’ Association (LMSA) played a pivotal role in in-kind support in the project by providing suitable land for building the plant.
Friends of the Environment (FOTE) helped mobilise women to use briquettes as an alternative to charcoal.