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To continue our cycle on the circular economy, we decided to introduce you to an association that works to improve waste management in both urban and rural areas.

Based in Cameroon and active in the coastal region in the south-west of the country, the Family Green Corporation has decided to take an active part in the fight against unsanitary conditions and better waste management. The members of the association restore the value of household organic waste by transforming it into energy: either biogas that can be used for cooking instead of gas in carboys or ecological charcoal to replace charcoal, which causes deforestation.

Biodigester under construction

Sustainable waste management, energy self-sufficiency while tackling climate problems, restoration of abandoned spaces and participation in the creation of green cities are the missions of the Family Green Corporation. This young association aims to fight climate change, produce sustainable and renewable energy and contribute to social well-being in Cameroon. It carries out activities both in town and in villages with households, farmers and ranchers.

We offer you an interview in 6 questions to discover this association!

Can you introduce yourself please.

I am Mr. TCHUIGOUA Hubert Stephy, Promoter of FAMILY GREEN CORPORATION

Tell us about your team.

The Family Green Corporation (FGC) is a non-political, non-profit association in Cameroon, founded in 2016, based in PENJA.
The association is made up of 20 members from various parts of our country. The average age of members of the FGC is about 23 years. Some members are fully committed to the cause of the association and others hold various positions in local businesses.

What are your main activities?

Environmental conservation through waste recovery: we build domestic biodigesters and produce green coal.

A biodigester is an underground masonry building intended to receive a mixture of organic waste (banana, peanut, coconut, palm branches…) and water. This mixture undergoes a fermentation inside the biodigester which generates gas called biogas. Biogas is a fuel that can replace butane gas for cooking food. Maintenance of biodigesters can be done monthly or quarterly.

Eco-friendly coal has several advantages: it does not smoke (thus combating the rate of lung infection due to wood fire smoke) and has a very long heating time.

What concrete solution do you bring?

We provide rural and urban families with access to reliable, sustainable and affordable energy services for all. For example, 1 kilogram of ecological coal costs 300 fcfa, and can be cooked for 3 hours. Whereas conventional charcoal is sold by the sachet, in smaller quantities, at the same price or sometimes more expensive for a much shorter cooking time.

Tell us about your accomplishments and impact.

To date, the association has built 4 biodigesters and equipped 2 households. We produced 100 kilograms of green coal: 60 sold and 20 distributed voluntarily.

We also make a point of trying to change attitudes by participating, for example, in fairs and forums on the promotion Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We also organize awareness-raising activities and training for local capacity-building. We target all audiences without any distinction (young, female…). We have launched a program to popularize green coal, the 2FCé project: One Family, One Oven and 10kg Green Coal.

Finally, what are your future projects?

We will continue with the development of a fully equipped, environmentally friendly coal manufacturing plant. We are also looking for technical and financial support (grants, etc…) to carry out our projects.