A local innovator in Sierra Leone, Peter George, has transformed plastic and electronic waste into solar-powered school backpacks designed to help children study after dark in off-grid communities.
In Sierra Leone’s Bo Town, George sews the backpacks and assembles electronic lighting systems into them.
Peter George, founder of IDEAL Technologies said, “I personally witnessed firsthand how children living in deprived rural communities lack access to a reliable lighting system for them to study at night,”
Wastes To Wealth
George said the backpacks are made from recycled plastic and salvaged electronic waste, including old computer and radio parts, which are converted into power banks and solar lamps.
“I’m trying to turn waste into opportunity,” he added. “Turning waste into a reliable system that can solve educational problems, climate change, and pollution.”
The bags use small solar panels to charge during the day and can provide up to nine hours of light at night, offering students a safer alternative to kerosene lamps or candles.
“If the light is not on, I will use the light that is inside the bag to study,” said student Mariama Sheriff. “It will help me pass the exam.”
The initiative comes as Sierra Leone faces growing waste and energy challenges. The country produces an estimated 130,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year, while electricity access remains limited, especially in rural areas where less than five percent of households have power.
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Source :Viory
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