Student Work

THE PAPER BLOCK PROJECT: IMPROVING THE DESIGN AND IDENTIFYING MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR A SUSTAINABLE COOKING FUEL IN KATUTURA, NAMIBIA

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Our project advanced the uptake of a sustainable firewood alternative in the informal settlements of Katutura, Namibia. The small business enterprise of a burnable paper block will reduce unemployment and combat desertification. We worked with Men on the Side of the Road (MSR) to improve upon the paper block’s performance and created a new business model to promote its use. We conducted interviews with the local community exploring the current domestic fuel use, tested old and new versions of the paper block, and determined how it could best be brought to market. We created a new block design with improved burning capabilities, trained local MSR members in its production, and developed a viable community business model.

  • This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.
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Identifier
  • E-project-050814-094534
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Year
  • 2014
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Date created
  • 2014-05-08
Location
  • Windhoek
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