Kilifi County Circular Economy Enterprises

The project has created a dynamic plastic waste value chain between the local community and tourism industry. This created jobs for recyclers and part-time income for the community beach-cleaning teams, and provides an environmental service to hotels. The project now plans to expand its operations to the larger neighboring coastal towns of Malindi and Kilifi, targeting a population of more than 400,000 people along a 70 km stretch of coastline. All hard plastic waste is machine crushed at Eco-World Recycling in Watamu. The facility is operated by the project and it also acts as waste management training and education center. The main aims of this project are: 1. To further develop project waste management priorities, with a focus on prevention, reuse, recycling and up-cycling of plastic waste materials and including marine litter. 2. To further develop community based plastic recycling enterprises, employment opportunities and income benefits related to circular economy activities. 3. To replicate the project model in other coastal resort towns. 4. To strengthen and develop circular economy partnerships and collaborative processes between civil society, the government and the private sector. 5. To create public awareness of plastic waste and marine litter pollution.

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth12. Responsible Consumption and Production14. Life below Water
  • Watamu Marine Protected Area : The MPA contains coral, sea grass and mangrove ecosystems and is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches. Marine litter has a major negative impact on the Watamu MPA and Kenya coastline. Locally, landfills are the standard method of waste disposal which can result in leakage of waste materials into the ocean. Illegal dumping and burning is also a common practice resulting in environmental pollution.
  • Local community groups : These groups include women, youth groups and artisans who need to improve their livelihoods to make ends meet. Women and youth groups are among the most disadvantaged in local society with limited employment opportunities. These community members get employment or income as beach cleaners, waste pickers and recyclers. The artisans make art and curios from marine litter and sell them in local hotels and tourist outlets.
1

Our actions

Partnering with hotels to source recyclable waste and training of hotel staff on best waste management.
Organizing plastic waste collection, storage and transport logistics within Watamu, Malindi and Kilifi
Investing in Eco-World recycling machinery, transport systems and up-scaling and expanding operations
Training community members on how to make up-cycled products of value
Training community members on waste collection, separation and sorting
Increasing advocacy efforts to improve waste management policies in the County
Providing education and awareness on waste management best practices and showcasing circular economy opportunities.
Perception of hotels on the severity of marine litter and plastic pollution impact on marine park beaches before the start of the project
Target: 90% responses over 1 or 2
Collection period: 2020
LabelValue
1 - Very high amount40% (2 of 5 responses)
220% (1 of 5 responses)
320% (1 of 5 responses)
420% (1 of 5 responses)
5 - Very low amount0% (0 of 5 responses)
No. of kg plastic marine litter removed from marine park beaches
Target: 5000
LabelValue
202032944.00 (1 of 2 responses)
202154951.00 (1 of 2 responses)
No. of people trained on making up-cycled products
Target: 30
LabelValue
202030.00 (1 of 2 responses)
20215.00 (1 of 2 responses)
Perception by the waste pickers of their financial status before the start of the project
Target: 80% responses 1/2
Collection period: 2020
LabelValue
1 - I couldn't afford basic products and services housing, food, transport 57% (58 of 102 responses)
29% (9 of 102 responses)
317% (17 of 102 responses)
44% (4 of 102 responses)
5 - I didn't have any special financial difficulties 14% (14 of 102 responses)
No. of community waste pickers trained on waste collection, sorting and separation
Target: 30
LabelValue
202030.00 (1 of 2 responses)
202165.00 (1 of 2 responses)
Average no. of waste collection vehicle pickups per month in Watamu
Target: 8
LabelValue
202010.00 (1 of 2 responses)
202110.00 (1 of 2 responses)
2

Our outcomes

Increased amount of plastic waste collected for recycling
Creation of small business opportunities for waste pickers, artists and recyclers
Increased income streams from the sales of up-cycled and re-cycled products
Improved waste management practices within the tourism industry, community and business sectors in the project area
Satisfaction of waste pickers with the project
Target: 100% responses over 4/5
Collection period: 2020
LabelValue
1 - Very unlikely 1% (1 of 102 responses)
21% (1 of 102 responses)
32% (2 of 102 responses)
413% (13 of 102 responses)
5 - Very likely 83% (85 of 102 responses)
Revenue generated for Eco-World from sales of up-cycled products in USD
Target: 1000 USD
LabelValue
2020610.00 (1 of 2 responses)
20211934.00 (1 of 2 responses)
Satisfaction of artisans with the project
Target: 100% responses over 4/5
Collection period: 2020
LabelValue
1 - Very unlikely 0% (0 of 24 responses)
20% (0 of 24 responses)
317% (4 of 24 responses)
417% (4 of 24 responses)
5 - Very likely67% (16 of 24 responses)
Average no. kg/ month of processed hard plastics
Target: 1000kg
LabelValue
20201000.00 (1 of 2 responses)
20213000.00 (1 of 2 responses)
3

Our impacts

Improved living standards of local people working in the waste management sector
Reduction in the impact of plastic waste pollution on marine park beaches and environment
Enhanced corporate social responsibility status for hotels within the tourism industry
Perception by the waste pickers on the improvement of their financial situation
Target: 90% responses over 4 or 5
Collection period: 2020
LabelValue
1 - Absolutely no improvement due to project3% (3 of 102 responses)
22% (2 of 102 responses)
311% (11 of 102 responses)
442% (43 of 102 responses)
5 - Very significant improvement due to project42% (43 of 102 responses)
Perception of hotels on the reduction of marine litter and plastic pollution on the marine park beaches over the project period
Target: 90% responses over 4 or 5
Collection period: 2020
LabelValue
1 - Absolutely no reduction0% (0 of 5 responses)
220% (1 of 5 responses)
30% (0 of 5 responses)
480% (4 of 5 responses)
5 - Very significant reduction0% (0 of 5 responses)
No. of community up-cycling artist receiving an income from waste up-cycling project
Target: 30
LabelValue
202010.00 (1 of 2 responses)
202112.00 (1 of 2 responses)
Perception by waste pickers of the impact they have on the environment through their work
Target: 100% responses over 4 or 5
Collection period: 2020
LabelValue
1 - Absolutely no improvement due to project0% (0 of 102 responses)
20% (0 of 102 responses)
31% (1 of 102 responses)
414% (14 of 102 responses)
5 - Very significant improvement due to project85% (87 of 102 responses)
No. of waste pickers receiving an income from waste collection
Target: 100
LabelValue
2020100.00 (1 of 2 responses)
2021200.00 (1 of 2 responses)
Community artists declaring their financial situation has improved
Target: 100% responses 4/5
Collection period: 2020
LabelValue
1 - Absolutely no improvement due to project0% (0 of 24 responses)
20% (0 of 24 responses)
333% (8 of 24 responses)
433% (8 of 24 responses)
5 - Very significant improvement due to project 33% (8 of 24 responses)

Who we are

  • Julie Myra Alego
    Eco-World Project Coordinator
  • Steve Trott
    Project Manager
  • Karen Njue
    Eco-World Assistant Project Coordinator
  • Waste Recyclers
  • The Blue Team
    Weekly beach clean-up Watamu
  • Silvia Stieger
    Business Development Support

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