A group of youths in Malindi have initiated a unique innovative project of turning trash into dollars by making products from recycled wastes into useful materials for export abroad.
The over 20 youth partnered with an Italian Conservationist and formed a company called Mondo Solidare (MSO) that also partnered with Anzuki Recycling designers who are designing handbags for sale in Europe.
Normally, the Italian Rita Valentini comes up with the design and shows the youth how to work on it and later they gather raw materials from recycled plastic wastes to make hand bags that are exported for sale in dollars.
Among their products include remarkable handbags which range from different sizes, shoes made from worn out tyres, and jeans jackets that are well designed into beautiful products.
Journalists paid a visit to MSO workshop located in the town’s Central Business District and found out how plastic wastes are made into useful products, a process that is practical and clear proof that trash can be turned into cash.
They are also members of Progress Welfare Association of Malindi (PWAM), an organisation that organises monthly clean ups to keep the resort town clean and green so as to ensure they get wastes to use for making their products.
Winnie Peter, a beneficiary, said she saw a neighbor doing the work and since she had completed school and was waiting to go to college, she asked her to teach her.
She said the plastics are cut from the oil container as per the design of the bag they are pierced into small holes after which her work is to make the design using crochet and coloured threads.
She said in a day, she is able to make 10 discs and since it’s team work, bags vary in sizes from small medium to large, in a day one bag can be completed.
“This work has helped me because before joining I used to depend on parents but am now able to sustain myself and help my family,” she said.
Samson Kahindi who makes the design out of the oil bottle or basin waste said he normally cuts the plastic into the design set up and hands it over to the other one who pierces holes for the girls to do the embroidery. “This job helps me with my personal expenses and also with family members at home,” said Kahindi.
Charo Ngonyo on his part said initially he used to design bags using seeds but nowadays after being taught he is making designs from the plastic wastes.
Kate Mwikali the chairperson of Progress Welfare Association of Malindi (PWAM) who organises monthly clean ups with stakeholders said the move has helped in contributing to the circular economy and created jobs for youths.
So far, she said since they started clean ups, five companies have been established in the resort town of Malindi that are buying wastes and more people have now realized that trash is money.
Mike Nzuki who owns Aznuki recycling designers company in Malindi town said he partnered with MSO to make products which are being exported abroad.
He said they use recycled products from old jeans, jackets, plastic oil bottles, old tyres among other waste products to make useful materials for exports. So far he said they are a team of 20 youth including 10 from MSO and 10 others from Anzuki recycling designers.
With such initiatives, youth are able to get employment and at the same time waste management and circular economy is embraced.
