Using organic scrap for energy solutions Sri Lankan wins ‘gold’ for waste management innovation

Director of Sri Lanka Inventors Commission N. N. W. Dolawatta (on the right) handing over the gold medal and certificate to Mohamed Firdhous Rasheed (on the left)

In a world where environmental challenges are escalating, it is pleasing to hear that Sri Lankan’s efforts channeled into sustainable waste management have gained global recognition.

Mohamed Firdhous Rasheed, a resident of Balangoda, has achieved an intellectual feat that could revolutionise waste management practices not only in Sri Lanka, but across the globe as well. His invention, the Project-0 Bio-Digester, won a prestigious Gold Medal at the 9th International Innovation and Advanced Skills Competition (iCAN) held in Toronto, Canada, in November 2024.

Rasheed’s success journey is not short of inspiration. After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Peradeniya, as an external candidate, he moved to the Middle East in search of a better future for his family. While being employed abroad, Rasheed became increasingly concerned about waste management practices and environmental pollution. Motivated by his desire to create a cleaner world, he spent years self-learning about waste management and innovative energy solutions. “What motivated me to start this project was when I first moved to Saudi Arabia in 1998. I noticed that waste management was not properly handled there; there was a similar situation in Saudi Arabia compared to Sri Lanka. On some occasions, I saw sewage leaking onto the road, creating an odour. This sparked my interest in pursuing sustainable waste management. It took more than 10 years of research and planning to bring this idea to life,” Rasheed shared with the Daily Mirror.

The core of Rasheed’s invention is the Liquid Gravity Compression Technology, an approach to utilise gravitational force for industrial and everyday applications, with the main focus on biogas generation and organic waste management. His invention, the Project-0 Bio-Digester, addresses several of the challenges faced by traditional biogas systems such as the inefficiencies of traditional existing methods and the high costs of installation and maintenance. Unlike conventional bio-digesters, Rasheed’s system uses gravitational force effectively to compress and release biogas. The system is more compact, durable, and cost-effective than current models making it suitable for use at home (micro-scale), in businesses and organizations (medium-scale), and even by municipal authorities for large-scale waste management.

Lucrative investment

One of the key advantages of Project-0 is its ability to convert organic waste such as kitchen scraps into valuable resources, flammable gas and nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer. This not only reduces the volume of waste that ends up in landfills, but also creates a sustainable energy source and a natural fertilizer that can support agriculture and landscaping. A micro-scale Project-0 bio-digester which is suitable for use at home costing approximately Rs.100000, can generate 12.5 kg of gas and 800 liters of liquid fertilizer per month. This translates into savings and profits, with the gas worth Rs. 45,000 annually and the fertilizer valued at Rs. 192 000 making it a lucrative investment that pays for itself within a one year. The same efficiency and profitability extend to medium- and large-scale installations, promising significant environmental and economic benefits. 

On a larger scale it can be installed in industries, agricultural organizations, and even urban settings to handle municipal waste. The environmental and economic benefits are considerable. By reducing the need for costly waste collection and disposal services Project-0 could save municipalities millions of rupees annually. One of Rasheed’s most ambitious goals is to use Project-0 to help address Sri Lanka’s waste crisis. Municipal waste in the country often ends up in overflowing landfills contributing to pollution and environmental degradation. In a third world country, where the memories of lives lost- due to garbage dump collapses- are yet to fade, waste management solutions such as Rasheed’s are absolutely essential.

In November 2024, Rasheed’s commitment was rewarded with a Gold Medal at the iCAN competition in Canada, where his invention was recognised for its innovation and environmental impact. Sri Lanka was also represented at the competition by three other participants; H.G.C.P. Bandara, Gamage team and the Ruhunu University team, but Rasheed’s Project-0 stood out as a groundbreaking solution for waste management. Reflecting on his achievement, Rasheed said, “I absolutely believed that this project would win a prize at the award ceremony.” The Gold Medal win has brought global attention to Rasheed’s invention, and he believes that it has the potential to not only solve local waste management challenges, but also create export opportunities for Sri Lanka. “This is a significant need for the future, not only for Sri Lanka but for the world. My aim is to introduce it to international markets as this has the potential to generate significant foreign revenue, ” he added. 

However Rasheed expressed disappointment regarding the lack of support from both the government and media. “I didn’t receive any support from the government. Some newspapers published a brief write up about the award. I need the government’s help to promote this project globally. I also request the support of the media to help it earn the attention of the public,” he said.

Reminding everyone that his active participation in environmental activism will not come to an end with this award, Rasheed further discussed his future plans, stating “For my next project, I’m working on how human waste can be transformed into sustainable biogas and fertilizer. I am currently collaborating with a hotel on this project.” 

Rasheed’s dedication to environmental sustainability is commendable, and his success serves as an example to inventors, environmentalists, and innovators across Sri Lanka and beyond. As Sri Lanka continues to navigate economic challenges, innovators like Rasheed offer a hopeful glimpse into a promising future. By investing in homegrown technologies and encouraging local inventors and innovators, Sri Lanka can become a leader in environmental innovation making a significant contribution to global sustainability efforts.