The Freetown Waste Transformers

Company

Freetown Waste Transformers turns organic waste to energy, replacing diesel generators with green

Problem

Limited access to electricity and an unreliable grid has led to mass use of diesel generators in Sierra Leone, especially among MSMEs. The waste management infrastructure in Freetown is also beset with inefficient collection processes, making waste management a major challenge.

Solution

Freetown Waste Transformers received a GSMA grant in March 2022 to digitise the waste collection process and improve the efficiency of waste coordination by implementing a GPS mobile mapping app. The app, DortiBox, was launched for waste collectors in partnership with the Freetown City Council, which can manage inputs from waste collection partners and provide live data on waste volumes, types of waste, collection times and locations. Since larger amounts of organic waste are needed to feed Freetown’s anaerobic biodigesters, the app will help to better coordinate the collection of this waste.

Impact

Since partnering with the GSMA, Freetown Waste Transformers has:

– Had 114 waste collectors use their app and another 276 waste collectors respond to requests indirectly. Women represent 30% of their waste collectors.

– Diverted 11.85 tonnes of organic waste from landfills and generated 12,205 kWh of clean energy through their waste-to-energy solution.

– Raised $3.9 million in development funding from Climate Investor Two (CI2) in May 2022 to, among other things, purchase and operate five waste transformer units.

A message from the founder

“At the end of the grant period, FWT will be empowered and equipped with knowledge and capacity to predict market trends as it scales its operations and contributes to increasing energy access rates and a stronger waste management infrastructure in Freetown.”

– Aminata Dumbuya-Jarr, Founder