Real Pearl Foundation - Against fuel poverty with biomass briquettes
People living in deep poverty in Told village produce biomass briquettes to cover at least part of their heating material needs. The technique was originally developed by the American Legacy Foundation, but during implementation a new, more effective hydraulic briquette press was developed. The raw material comes from paper waste and agricultural by-products, the workers are local villagers who also became eligible for social benefits in the following year through being employed in the project. The briquette also helps to prevent the burning of materials that are harmful for environment and health. Awards (2013): Sozial Marie 1st place, Honorary Award of the ERSTE Foundation.
In July and August, 2012 the production facility including a dryer house was set up, local workers were recruited and trained, raw materials were sourced and the production took place. The briquettes were distributed in November and December. The programme continued beyond 2012.
Link to H2020 SI Priorities
Alternative raw materials
Climate change mitigation solutions
Raw materials conscious sustainable lifestyle
SI Type
Social (incl. behavioural) - The innovation enables the production of cheap and environmentally friendly heating substance for and by poor communities. The involvement in the production process might enhances future employability of people who are unemployed already for a while that disfavours work discipline.
Product / Process - The availability and further improvement of the briquette pressing machine was necessary to ensure sustainability (only one machine uses electricity, everything else is run mechanically).
SI Objectives
Make the community able to produce their own heating fuel from locally sourced waste materials.
Reduce heating costs.
Create jobs (important for subsequent social benefit of the participants).
Saving forests, avoid illegal “exploitation”.
Community building.
SI Origin
Nóra Feldmár, Industrial ecologist met the topic in relation with her studies. The Real Pearl Foundation liked the idea and intended to implement it in Told (very disadvantaged village with high unemployment and prevalent deep poverty). The openness of the municipality and the local people, similarly to the financial support of the Ecopolis Foundation and the British Council were about crucial importance.
SI Factors of success
Technological - Availability of the idea of the pressing machine (later developed further to adjust to local needs)
Economic - Availability of cheap inputs for production (agricultural by-products and paper waste)
Political - Good co-operation with the municipality
Social - Openness and active involvement of the villagers
Sources
Primary - The websites introduce the whole story including the funding, number of people involved and the production data.
