LightEd

Video

Description

LightEd is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to addressing energy poverty and promoting sustainability through circular economy principles. Founded in 2020, LightEd transforms waste materials like plastic and e-waste into renewable energy products, offering clean, affordable energy solutions to underserved communities, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and rural populations across Africa.

Our innovative product lineup includes the Glow Lamp, a modular solar lamp made from recycled plastic and e-waste, which empowers users to build their own energy solutions using 3D printing. We also developed LightEd Pud, a solar home system with attachable battery packs designed to power small businesses, schools, and households. In addition, The LightHouse serves as a solar-powered community charging station, providing clean energy access to up to 3,000 people, enabling them to charge mobile devices and other electronics.

LightEd’s commitment to circular economy principles is at the core of our operations. By utilizing waste as a resource, we reduce environmental pollution while creating life-changing products. Our projects not only tackle energy poverty but also promote self-reliance, sustainability, and economic resilience.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we introduced LiteAir, a hybrid lighting and air purification solution made from recycled materials, designed for rural healthcare centers. This innovation ensured safer, healthier environments during the global health crisis.

Our impact spans over 26,000 individuals, and with the continued support of global partnerships, LightEd aims to scale our efforts, promoting a future where sustainable energy is accessible to all.

Story

LightEd was born out of a pressing need to address two major challenges facing African communities: energy poverty and environmental waste. Founded in 2020 by Stanley Anigbogu, the project was inspired by the struggles of millions of people in refugee camps, rural areas, and underserved communities who lack access to reliable electricity. At the same time, Stanley saw the growing problem of plastic and electronic waste polluting these same areas. LightEd emerged as a way to tackle both of these issues simultaneously.

The idea was simple yet revolutionary: What if waste materials could be transformed into life-saving energy solutions? This vision led to the creation of LightEd’s first product, the Glow Lamp—a solar-powered lamp made entirely from recycled plastic and e-waste. The design is modular, allowing users to build their own lamps using 3D printing technology, creating a solution that is not only sustainable but also empowering.

LightEd expanded its product line with the LightEd Pud, a solar home system that provides scalable energy solutions for homes, schools, and businesses. The LightHouse, a community solar charging station, was developed to bring clean energy access to entire communities, powering mobile devices and small electronics for up to 3,000 people at a time.

The mission of LightEd is rooted in the principles of the circular economy—turning waste into a valuable resource while promoting sustainability. Through innovation, LightEd is not only reducing environmental impact but also helping to lift communities out of poverty by providing the energy they need to thrive. Today, LightEd continues to grow, with the goal of reaching millions of people and making clean energy a reality for all.

Link

• https://lightedimpact.org/

Images

Judge’s Comments

David Benjamin

Founding Principal of The Living and Associate Professor at Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation

Guiding Light Prize

This project guides us like a North Star or a lantern. With inspiring vision and clever execution, the project starts with electronic waste and plastic waste, then transforms the waste into solar LED lighting. It is a model for making something useful out of limited resources. In addition, the project engages the topic of scaling up and making a broad impact. Noting that over 600 million people in Africa lack electricity and use harmful alternatives, inventor Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu has created a product with the potential to transform many lives. The project also involves an amazing personal story and an educational component to amplify not only the product but the approach to sustainability and transformation.

Cecilia Tham

Co-founder and CEO at Futurity Systems

BrightLife Prize

While there are many existing solutions and similar projects in the market, this project is commendable for its vision to holistically integrate need, community, and solution. I appreciate that intention to address energy poverty through the use of waste materials shows a good understanding of circular economy principles. The project’s emphasis on community engagement and empowerment, particularly through modular, user-assembled products and education programs like LightEd Kids, reflects a well-rounded and scalable strategy for social impact.

I appreciate that LightEd creates practical solutions for underserved populations but also fosters awareness and skill development, and making sustainability concepts accessible and actionable. Its ability to repurpose waste into renewable energy solutions aligns well with the objectives of regenerating ecosystems and empowering communities. I feel that this initiative exemplifies the type of innovation and societal benefit that merits recognition here.

Gregory Constantine

Co-founder and CEO of Air Company

GlowForward Prize

LightEd is an inspiring and impactful initiative that creatively tackles two of the most pressing global challenges—energy poverty and environmental waste—through the lens of circular economy. By transforming plastic and e-waste into renewable energy products, LightEd not only addresses the growing issue of waste but also provides clean, affordable energy to underserved communities, particularly refugees and rural populations in Africa.

What stands out most is LightEd's approach to "People." The project is empowering individuals by giving them the tools to create their own energy solutions, like the modular Glow Lamp made from recycled materials. This focus on DIY innovation, combined with educational programs like LightEd Kids, ensures that communities gain valuable skills and become active participants in building a sustainable future.

On the "Planet" front, the environmental impact is clear: LightEd reduces waste, cuts carbon emissions, and promotes circular practices in a tangible, measurable way. What's also impressive is the project's sustainable business model. By balancing affordability with profitability, LightEd is not only creating solutions for today but also building a foundation for long-term, scalable impact. This combination of innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility makes LightEd a standout and deserving candidate for the crQlr Awards.

Gwyneth Jong

Co-founder of FabCafe Kuala Lumpur

Power To The People Prize

This project is a brilliant example of how sustainability and social impact can go hand in hand. By recycling materials like plastic bottles and electronic waste, the initiative not only tackles the growing concerns of waste management but also provides a practical solution for marginalized communities. This innovative approach demonstrates how the principles of the circular economy—reusing, recycling, and reducing—can be applied to create real-world solutions that benefit people and the planet.