The Future’s Bright. The Future’s S**t
by Startacus Admin
The innovative initiative by Brian Harper of Malvern Hills, that's putting dog poop to very good use! This one might not be a startup, but it would be a waste not to share the progressive idea that may just light the future.
Dog walkers are forever hounded to pick up after their best friend - rightly so - but where do those warm little plastic bags end up? In trees, at the side of the pavement, slung over your garden fence?
Although people are getting better at picking up dog-doo, what they do do with the dog-doo is not necessarily what they should do. And when they dispose of it properly, it only gets buried underground where it lies for a thousand years. Or maybe that’s plastic bags.
Brian Harper of Malvern Hills in the English West Midlands has found a way to prevent this waste from...going to waste: light!
Specifically, gas light. In front of Brian’s house sits a gas lamp powered by the might of ten dogs. Or one dog, ten times. At least, we assume he has a dog.
This is the first of its kind in the UK and was developed with the financial support of Malvern Hills Area of Natural Beauty. Once the dog’s breakfast has been deposited in the receptacle at the bottom of the lamp - by either the owner or the dog - it is broken down by microorganisms in the anaerobic digester - generously provided in this instance by Methanogen (UK) Ltd. - to produce methane.
This methane is stored until the timer says it’s time to shine, 
then it is released to fuel the flame. Roughly ten doggie bags power the lamp for two hours. As well as this methane, the digester produces fertilizer for the gardener!
Using animal waste for fuel has worked for us since neolithic times, and with the problem of dog faeces dropping from trees, there doesn’t seem to be any reason not to continue the tradition. Brian’s next step is to get urban parks interested in the technology, and we wish him luck. It’s a crap idea that we hope will go far!
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Enterprise North West and Startacus collaborate with a group of students from NWRC to create Week Gen-C, a part- employability, part-career and part-entrepreneurship focused digital project & channel
.jpeg)
Having a strong team around you is key - these basic tips highlight all the things that you'll need to consider...
Vehicle management platform, Caura raises major seed funding to support its mission of reducing stress and expense of driving in the UK
The lowdown on Peroptyx, the machine learning startup that helps companies refine their AI systems with real-world human insight and feedback
The lowdown on Greenfinity, the smart designer system that lets you grow your favourite herbs and other plants throughout the year
Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit launched by Tech Nation to help tech founders and their employees create more diverse and inclusive businesses, and provide equal opportunities for all in UK tech
Digital ID verification startup OCR Labs secures major investment to support further technology innovation and expand its operations in UK and Turkish markets
ECOncrete Wins EU H2020 Funding to Lead the “LIVING PORTS” Project to Deploy Next-Generation Port Infrastructure
"How to Scale a Startup" event on 23rd June will allow startups to explore key business areas they'll need to consider and get right if they're to move to scaleup status.
London-based financial literacy startup Strive is on a mission to teach kids about the future of money - from cryptocurrencies to saving
Published on: 15th February 2018
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Youth Entrepreneurship, Employability and Careers Project 21st Jun 2021 Enterprise North West and Startacus collaborate with a group of students from NWRC to create Week Gen-C, a part- employability, part-career and part-entrepreneurship focused digital project & channel
- Caura raises $4.2m seed round 18th Jun 2021 Vehicle management platform, Caura raises major seed funding to support its mission of reducing stress and expense of driving in the UK
- ECOncrete Wins EU H2020 Funding 16th Jun 2021 ECOncrete Wins EU H2020 Funding to Lead the “LIVING PORTS” Project to Deploy Next-Generation Port Infrastructure
- Calling on all 18-30 year-olds in the UK with innovative business ideas 14th Jun 2021 Innovate UK and The Prince’s Trust are seeking 18-30-year-olds with ambitious business ideas that could turn into important innovations
