Green Gown Awards 2018 - University of Surrey - Finalist

A campus University located in Guildford, University of Surrey has an Enactus team that embodies the tenets of Engagement, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship.

Project Source aims to remove the use of kerosene lamps in rural communities in favour of a safe, reliable, and sustainable source of light. We saw an opportunity to reduce kerosene usage, provide sustainable lighting to marginalised communities, empower beneficiaries, and tackle poverty.

Using simple materials, consisting of recycled plastic bottles filled with water, and LED lights connected to a compact solar panel, we produce a solar bottle, which was installed in the roof and grouted to prevent water ingress.

With sustainable development being at the heart of the project we continue to have environmental, economical and social sustainability in everything we do.

Top 3 learnings:

• Gaining trust by building relationships with local community pays off in the long term.
• Consumers’ needs changes over time and innovation is key to ensure they are constantly satisfied.
• The importance of understanding consumers’ needs and wants to ensure product is suitable for them.

CO2t savings over the life cycle of the project: 29.62 (Estimated over 2 years).