Kenyan entrepreneur turns trash into cash
A Kenyan firm has discovered a way to turn plastic waste into a profitable business venture.
Lorna Rutto is the founder of Global Bio Energy, a company that manufactures fencing posts from recycled consumer plastic waste from Dandora, a slum in Kenya‘s capital city of Nairobi.
Lorno Rutto
“Currently in Kenya thousand[s] of plastic bags and bottles litter our streets . . . and clog [our] sewers. Our business converts [this waste] into durable, affordable, cost effective and environmental friendly plastic poles,” Rutto explains.
According to Rutto, the initiative contributes to the environment by recycling waste and reducing the number of trees being cut-off. The project also creates employment opportunities.
“By creating an alternative to timber we can avoid an environmental crisis in future,” she says.
The project won Rutto, a 25-year old banker by profession, the WWF nature challenge national award that comes with a prize of 5,000 euros. She beat more the 120 contestants in the competition that attracted entrepreneurs with interests in organic agriculture, green energy production and waste management.
Rutto partnered with a friend, Charles Kalama, who was also previously unemployed.
She explains that once operational, the company will directly employ 24 individuals and create another 150 indirect jobs for waste collectors and garbage sorters.
“We are projecting being able to generate profits worth Ksh4.5million (US$58,000) per year once fully operational,” she says.
The biggest challenge facing the duo at the moment is the purchase of machines. Rutto asserts that the machinery used in setting up the plastic fencing poles extrusion plant is very costly.
Though they have purchased several machines and have set up a production plant at Kariobangi from the prize money, Rutto says that they need an additional Ksh4 million (US$52,000) to acquire other necessary equipment and become fully operational.
Rutto believes the business has potential because the only alternative to timber posts in the market are concrete and metal posts, but that these are too expensive. She adds that plastic poles are in demand due to their long term cost effectiveness since they require little maintenance and are durable as well as affordable.
“We are planning to increase our processing capacity, as well as introduce new products lines. These include roofing trusses, roofing tiles, support beams for low cost housing and plastic lumber for furniture making,” she says.
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Contacts details. Am interested in the products
great post as usual!
What a creative way to make money while at the same time protecting the environment.An excellent venture.
I am an Administrator for an NGO called care of Creation and would like to get your contact regarding the plastic posts…we have a piece of land that needs fencing and since we are in environment stewardship I believe your product would be best suited for us.
So kindly let me know how I can get in touch with you as soon as possible
Thank you so much. My contact details are:
P.O Box 3703 – 00506
Nairobi.
Email: cherrychesh@yahoo.com
Tel: 0721953768 / 0725351032
Call me for any inquiries.
Congratulations for the great venture. This is the way to go. “Waste is not a menace, Waste is wealth”
Lorna,
Keep it up!!!
great stuff – and thanks for cleaning up our environment
G
hi lorna. congrats for great job. i would wish to visit your company on 10th september to learn the whole process. is it possible
great work Lorna . i just wanted to enquirer on were your company is and on if i could get a visit of the company ill be looking forward to visiting your company
Congratulations on the great venture. I would also like to visit if possible. Let us know.
Well, done. I would actually like to buy your products. I am looking for Cranked plastic posts (approx 10ft). Please do let me know if possible.
Cograts for this great venture. I am interested in buying your products. I am looking for plastic fencing poles of (approx 7ft). Please do let me know the following:
(i)if it is possible to get abt 35 pieces
(ii) The Cost per piece
(iii) If the posts can be destroyed by termites.
Kindly reply.
Susan from Utawala.
Good work my sister. i am project manager in an NGO so from one the major slums in nairobo and would like to have a partnership wiht you and your company. is it possible please you can contact.
Hi we have all type of solid plastics fencing posts so any one can send email for your good inquiry or you can log in to our web http://www.a-oneplastics.com
Love your Idea, always inspirational to come across young innovative Kenyan’s. Keep up.
Is it possible to know the prices of the post n where to locate them?
thanx
plastic poles need to buy where are they selling at what price is cost per pole
hi
need to know your location,i have a piece of land and would like to test your products cos the wooden ones are likely to be temporary,are yours permanent?
hi, may i have your contacts as i need plastic poles
Regards
I need your contacts. am very interested in these poles. please
Hi, i am in the construction industry and wish to recomend your products for usage. please provide me with your contacts/physical address,and relevant technical specs ie. Kebs approval,price/s,wroting,absorbency,tensile strength,weight,colour/s,diameter/s,length/s,shape/s,fixing components,durability,fragility,casting depths and materials adaptabilitity with barbed wire, chainlink,timber off-cuts/other plastic members.
good idea.
Kudos!Great mind.I am motivated.