The Challenge
Humanitarian operations, including those led by the World Food Programme (WFP), generate significant amounts of waste during last-mile delivery. In countries with limited recycling infrastructure, much of this waste — especially non-recyclable plastic packaging — is either openly burned or dumped, leading to severe environmental and health risks.

A 2021 study by USAID and WFP found that nine major humanitarian organizations sent over 68,000 metric tons of packaging waste to recipient countries, including 5,000 tons of non-recyclable metallized sachets. In low-infrastructure areas like Uganda and Kenya, plastic waste management remains a critical issue: only 30% of plastic waste in Uganda and 36% in Kenya is properly managed. Without sustainable alternatives, these practices contribute to pollution, health hazards, and long-term environmental damage.

Introduction
PREW (Pyrolysis Reducing Emissions from Waste) is a collaborative initiative led by Engineers Without Borders Norway, in partnership with World Food Programme, Strømme Foundation and Human Brights. The project aims to reduce plastic pollution and the harmful emissions caused by burning unrecyclable waste in rural, low-resource areas — while exploring productive uses of the heat generated in the process. Our vision is to produce simple, transportable, non-electric pyrolysis and combustion units for remote environments — a solution tailored for both humanitarian response and long-term development. We are looking for partners to help us fulfil this vision as far as feasible.

We are looking for private sector partners to, in close collaboration with Human Brights, co-develop and build two pyrolysis combustion units with income generating waste-to-x/waste-to-Energy systems (the “X-factor”). These units will be deployed for on-site testing before project end. Should the units be successful, we hope these partnerships can be extended for the further development and production and sale of numerous more units. These are the three main technical areas of development for the project:

The primary goals of the project include:

• Co-develop and manufacture two pyrolysis and combustion units, building on the insights and lessons learned by Human Brights from their testing of two previous prototypes.
• Explore and implement productive uses of an X-factor, adapted to local needs and opportunities. 
• Identify and implement sustainable and locally feasible ignition/start-up methods for the pyrolysis and combustion cycle, minimizing dependence on external fuels.

The units will be integrated into local waste management systems and should demonstrate simple and safe operating conditions. Produce income-generating products supporting an economically sustainable business model in the local community. We are now looking for partners with a solid understanding of the challenge and solution we are aiming to develop. We invite eligible and interested private companies to respond to this call for requests for proposals in the innovation process by 4^th of September 2025. 

Below you will find the RFP, important related project documents and more information about Humanitarian Innovation Programme:

Documents: 
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL-PREW-EWB-N

EWB-N - PREW presentation
Human_Brights_PyroOnepager
Meeting Summary PREW MD
PREW Innovation Norway 2024 Projectplan and Framework
PREW -Needs assessment - Report Kenya_WFP
PREW Needs Assessment - Report Uganda _Stromme Foundation
https://hip.innovationnorway.com/

We are seeking partners with the following qualities:

• Strong technical knowledge and expertise
• Proven experience in system design and machine production
• An understanding of the local context and community needs
• Demonstrated flexibility, collaborative spirit, and an innovative mindset

Looking Ahead
We look forward to collaborating with the selected partners from September 2025 to October 2026 in this pilot project, which will be implemented in a refugee camp in Kenya and a rural community in Uganda. This initiative presents a unique opportunity to play a central role in shaping a scalable solution that reduces emissions, improves health outcomes, and contributes to more sustainable humanitarian operations globally.

Questions and Answers:

Q1: What has been done so far in terms of development?
A1: We have tested two prototypes, and the results have been promising.

Q2: What are the key design principles for the pyrolysis process?
A2: The process should target non-recyclable plastic waste, and be adapted to an environment with limited infrastructure. The unit needs to be robust, made from components and materials locally accessible, can be maintained and repaired with tools and processes locally accessible, it must be transportable meaning modularity is a great advantage, all the while being safe to operate.

Q3: What can the heat generated from the pyrolysis process be used for?
A3: The heat can be used for:

• Water purification
• Heating air for drying materials
• Heating a medium or driving a turbine to generate electricity
• Other uses catering to the needs found in the conducted needs assessments 

 This "X-factor" is where we believe the business case lies which is critical for long term sustainability. The goal is for the system to manage waste independently without relying on someone’s operating budget.

Q4: What challenge exists with starting the pyrolysis process?
A4: In its current design, the unit needs to be heated up to a certain point before it starts producing gas. This initial phase requires a considerable amount of energy to push the contents over the pyrolysis threshold. After that, based on our tests, the system sustains itself using its own output.

Q5: What should the external fuel source be, and what considerations are involved?
A5: The external fuel source is needed during the startup phase, and the type of fuel is yet to be determined. It should be based on local feasibility, availability, efficiency, cost, environmental friendliness, livelihoods etc. Key questions include:

• What local fuels are available?
• What can be sourced sustainably?
• Can byproducts from the pyrolysis process be used as fuel?

Q6: What are the phases of development for this system?
A6: Please see the technical delivery and activities described in the RFP “Background information and evaluation criteria”.