Africa generates over 70 million tonnes of municipal wastes annually, 20% being plastic. The World Bank estimates that this will double by 2025 owing to rapid urbanisation. The continent has also destroyed over 11.3 million hectares of forests over the last 50 years, largely due to human activities.
In addition, some 10 million Africans graduate every year from over 660 institutions of higher learning, many with limited employment prospects. Finally, our smallholder farmers, who account for over 70% of our agricultural output, languish in poverty yet sit on billions of tonnes of post-harvest agricultural waste that they can sell for an income.
Our vision is to have ‘A Green Africa Free from Poverty’. How???
- We’ve recycled over 3.5 million kgs of landfill-bound plastics and agricultural biomass waste to manufacture WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) lumber which is durable, aesthetic and environmentally friendly.
- We utilise an otherwise waste product to make new useful products. Applications include fencing, road signposts, outdoor furniture, ceiling & floorboards and landscaping.
- In Africa, most plastics wastes are disposed by open-air burning which releases CO2. We provide a viable alternative disposal method that eliminates this carbon release into the environment.
- We are part of the Gecko Project (GrEen and Circular innovation for Kenyan Companies), spearheaded by the Dutch Embassy in Kenya, aimed at establishing a green and circular economy.
- WPC lumber is an alternative to timber so it directly helps minimise the cutting down of trees.
- Research from Canada shows that for every tonne plastic lumber produced, the reduction in timber harvest is 1.1 tonnes. With 3,500 tonnes recycled, we’ve helped reduce timber harvest by 3,850 tonnes.
- Further research from the USA shows that for every 4 tonnes of trees saved from harvesting, one acre of forest is saved. Thus, we’ve saved 3,850 tonnes/4 = 963 acres of forest saved.
- The US EPA estimates 2,940 kgs CO2is mitigated per tonne of waste recycled instead of landfilled. With 3,500 tonnes diverted, we’ve mitigated 10,290,000 kgs of CO2.
- Further, the US EPA estimates 770 kgs CO2/acre/year sequestered annually by one acre of average U.S. forest. Saving 963 acres helps mitigate 741,510 Kg CO2/yr.
- WPCs are also recyclable as the can be recovered, melted and reformed to new products.
- With WPCs fewer fossil fuels and energy is used to make the final product from virgin materials minimising the need for plastics from fossil fuels.
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