In the bustling city of Bo, Sierra Leone, Alfred Muana has spent decades turning waste into opportunity.
Known as the ‘Waste General’, Alfred leads an innovative recycling enterprise that tackles environmental pollution, deforestation and clean energy challenges—all while creating jobs and improving lives. Alfred is determined to tackle waste wherever it is found:
'I'm going to the dustbins. I'm going to the landfill sites. I'm going to the wetlands. I'm going to the canals. I'm going to the floodwaters to collect waste materials'
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From humble beginnings to a national vision
Losing his father at a young age shaped Alfred. From an early age, he took on responsibilities that shaped his work ethic and determination. He found work in waste collections and recycling, and over time developed a passion for innovation.
What started as small-scale can recycling has grown into Subaru Recycling Enterprise, a thriving waste management business that employs 16 people and provides cleaner, greener alternatives to traditional fuels.
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I want my business to expand at a national level, create more jobs and generate more income… When I die, I want them to say, “The Waste General brought this idea into this country."
Revolutionising clean cooking
Traditional open fires and native charcoal are common cooking methods in Sierra Leone. However, they contribute to deforestation, pollution and serious health risks – especially for women and children exposed to smoke daily.
Alfred’s solution? Briquettes made from waste paper and biodegradable materials, which burn cleaner and longer than traditional charcoal. He also manufactures energy-saving stoves from recycled scrap metal, designed to retain heat efficiently and reduce indoor air pollution.
‘People come from all over, even from Kenema, to get these briquettes because demand is very high.’
By replacing native charcoal with bio-charcoal briquettes, Alfred is not only fighting deforestation but also helping communities save money on fuel.
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The partnership that started it all
In 2018, Alfred partnered with the Women’s Network for Environmental Sustainability (WoNES), the lead organisation delivering Christian Aid’s flagship climate change programme, CCASE (Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Energy), in Sierra Leone. Through this collaboration, Alfred began trialling an innovative initiative—turning waste office documents into briquettes. What started as an experiment has now become a key strand of his business.
'Christian Aid brought tons of documents here. We carbonised them into char, added binder and filler, and after drying them for some days, they became briquettes,' Alfred explains.
With support for equipment and funding to train 30 young people, Alfred’s work proved that waste paper could be repurposed into clean energy—demonstrating a scalable, sustainable model for waste reduction and renewable energy.
CCASE, funded entirely by donations from Christian Aid supporters, is working in 12 countries and the Latin America region to help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. In Sierra Leone, it is supporting locally-driven solutions—helping communities build resilience and develop sustainable alternatives to environmental challenges.
Expanding the Waste General’s legacy
Despite his impact, Alfred knows there is still much work to be done. Deforestation continues to threaten Sierra Leone’s biodiversity, and many communities lack access to clean, sustainable energy sources. That’s why he hopes to expand his business, train more workers and bring bio-charcoal briquettes and energy-saving stoves to every corner of the country.
‘I'm also looking for an opportunity to expand my business. I see expanding this business can actually minimise biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution and resource depletion.’
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The man behind the mission
For Alfred, waste recycling is more than just a job—it’s his passion, his purpose and his life’s work. Understanding the links between carbon and harmful effects on the environment, Alfred is a pioneer in this industry.
‘For now, I don't have enough time. I work from 8:00 to 6:00. And that's a long day. I don't have much time to see anything else. My passion is my job. The moments I relax, the more I lose.’
As he continues to transform trash into treasure, his dream is clear: a cleaner Sierra Leone, a thriving business, and a legacy that will inspire future generations.
