Project Description
WASTE TO LIGHT Development of societies differ across the Globe. They differ in Economy, infrastructure, location, and quite a couple of other factors that help determine the growth of societies. Countries around the world are classified to be developed, developing and least developed, which depends on the level of exposure of all aspects of that society. Developing and least Developed nations are in need of some innovations, solutions and techniques targeted towards developing communities with their available resources for development (as is this entry). Nigeria is a developing country, a predominantly rural society with a major number of her population living in rural areas. Generally, rural areas in Nigeria are incessantly neglected by the government when it comes to development of any form. Therefore, addressing issue such as electricity and lighting issues in those communities seems almost impossible. Epileptic electricity supply has been a major problem in Nigeria at large, Situations are worst in rural communities such as the villages and Internally displaced person camps. In most of these places, electricity has not been available from inception while a few get electricity for about 72 to 240 hours cumulatively in a year. A situation that makes life difficult and unattractive to people living in those areas. Most of the dwellers here are so poor that they cannot afford even the cheapest generating sets to illuminate their homes at night. Therefore, providing a solution to the problem of these communities through Some of the sustainable development goals (SDGs 3,7,11,12,13,14 and 15) which must be affordable, easy to produce in the community so as not to incur transportation cost which will shoot up the price of production of the solution; thereby making it unaffordable by the inhabitants of that community. With respect to the platform created by VELUX to create innovative lighting measures by making adequate use of daylight, and focusing on how it can improve people’s health in living and working environments; Waste to Light is inspired by the improper disposal of plastic bottles (plastic pollution) in our community which has led to flooding, risk to human health and aqua lives. The need to make a better use of plastic in our community and to reduce plastic pollution led to our major material being plastic bottle, which is abundantly available in our community. The light concept is to introduce a new lighting system in underdeveloped communities and in the process, creating a more conducive and hygienic environment. This is done by primarily making use of locally sourced waste pet bottles that litter the environment (As research has shown how dangerous plastic waste is to human, the environment and sea life). The materials needed are: (1) Transparent Plastic Bottle (Cost is free: large deposit of used plastic bottle will be collected), (2) Nails (2 USD approximately 750 naira will be used for about 400 bottles), (3) Phosphorescent paint (2 USD per paint can be used for approximately 250 plastic Bottle), (4) Water (Readily Available). Method of creation: (1) The internal surface of the plastic bottle is coated with the phosphorescent paint mixed with little quantity of water by pouring about 10ml into it. (To avoid washing away by rainfall when used externally) (2) The Plastic Bottle is Rotated constantly to even distribute the paint around the plastic and left to dry before it is closed. (3) The bottle can be used alone or in conjunction with similar coated plastic bottles with the use of nails in 2 to 6 bottles to produce various pattern. Experiment has shown that after exposing the coated bottle to sunlight during the day, the bottle emits light of about 20 – 50 Lux at night, therefore using minimum numbers of 2 coated bottles will be enough to illuminate about 1m2 Spaces around its location. Its usage: • The coated plastic of various colors can be used along streets in rural communities by attaching the coated plastics to locally sourced bamboo sticks at the top and another close to the working plane thereby illuminating its immediate surrounding to eradicate darkness in dead spots that permit various atrocities in that community. Also adding beauty to the environment due to the interchangeably use of colors. • It can also be used indoors where there is no direct opening on the facades to receive daylight into that space. It can be introduced to the roof where half of the bottle is exposed to sunlight, and the other part glows in the enclosed space. • It can be used in rural kitchens, recreational spaces and other indoors spaces at night instead of lighting up fire that emit gasses which affect the human body in its vicinity. This usage also shows its advantage of creating a more conducive and healthy environment.