Pioneering a community-led circular model for remote shoreline communities across the Lamu Archipelago, Kenya
We are establishing sustainable solutions to avoid plastic pollution through community-driven circular solutions rooted in local heritage bringing economic returns to the community
THE PROBLEM
Plastic leakage into the environment is set to double to 44 million tonnes a year, disproportionately impacting the global south.
Annually in Kenya, 428,000 tonnes of plastic waste is uncollected or improperly disposed of while 37,000 tonnes leaks into the ocean. With waste generation projected to skyrocket up to 40% for LMICs by 2050, the disproportionate burden on low-income communities is likely to escalate beyond control.
Like many places, the Lamu Archipelago lacks formal waste structures, systems, and policies. Our own 2022 baseline survey showed that the majority of plastic waste was dumped (45.9%), burned (39.8%) and buried (17.1%).
If sustainable waste management systems are not put in place now, the burden, particularly on shoreline communities like ours will be impossible to address.
“structural inequities built into the current plastics value chain not only distribute the burdens of plastic pollution unequally among countries, the burdens are also disproportionately borne by those least equipped to remedy them, thereby worsening the crisis.”
THE SOLUTION
A COMMUNITY-CENTRED PLASTICS VALUE CHAIN WITH ON-SITE RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND a TRAINING CENTRE
The Flipflopi Project uses a systemic approach to build working replicable models for the circularity of plastics in peri-urban areas that have little-to-no waste management and rapidly growing populations.
We are pioneering the community-centred approach across the Lamu Archipelago, Kenya, localising recycling and culturally-relevant production for income generation for the local community, building skills through vocational training, while advocating for the elimination of single-use plastics at a local and regional level.
1. COMMUNITY-LED PLASTIC RECOVERY
We incentivise plastic waste recovery through a community-led cash-on-collections model.
Our Material Recovery Facility (MRF) serves the entire archipelago, creating networks and systems co-designed by our communities. We are trialling different models from household collection to incentivised recovery programs while working closely with government and international partners to establish the foundations to avoid recyclable plastics ending up in the environment, burnt or discarded in the ocean. Since our programme began, surveys highlight a significant reduction of plastics in dumpsites, as well as a marked reduction in GHG emissions.
2. SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT MANUFACTURING
Skilled artisans then transform the lumber into beautiful and durable heritage furniture and artisanal boats. Through this localised circular economy approach, we aim to subsidize waste management in peri-urban shoreline communities while also preserving the ancient indigenous craftsmanship that is in danger of dying out. Since 2022 we have prototyped over 40 unique products and are preparing for the market. Efforts to increase our financial sustainability, improve efficiency and identify opportunities for peer learning are continually being explored.
3. PLASTIC RECOVERY AND RECYCLING FACILITY
With a throughout capacity of 500kg a day currently (sorting, washing, crushing and extrusion), our facility has been designed as a test-to-transition model backed by robust data-management systems and our R&D team who are continuously developing appropriate technologies and systems to improve efficiency and quality. We have now stabilised our operations producing high quality plastic planks from HDPE and PP and now working towards increasing the range of polymers to produce useful building materials like plastic sheets.
4. INNOVATION AND TRAINING CENTRE
Our manufacturing facility is coupled to a Training Centre which runs regular courses to prepare youth to enter into the circular economy industry, while fostering indigenous practices such as dhow-building and furniture-making. There is significant potential given our continent’s inherent reuse and repair culture while also addressing education gaps and preserving indigenous craftsmanship.
5. LOCAL POLICY ENGAGEMENT
A full-systems approach requires legislative action. Flipflopi regularly participates in policy development with the local government and leads efforts towards harmonisation of regional policy in the East African Community.
OUR MODEL IN ACTION
We have been pioneering this innovative model since 2022, and seeing the potential for replicability in other remote shoreline communities.
Environmental Impact
To-date we have recovered ~300 tonnes of post-consumer plastic that would otherwise have been destined for the ocean, with 268+ tonnes of co2 emissions avoided.
Social Impact
Social surveys have shown well-being and livelihood improvements for employees and collectors.
A recent UNCTAD and UK-FCDO study showed our model as having a remarkable impact on health with a projected life gain up to 24 years for every 1000 tons that is recovered and turned into useful long-lasting materials like our artisanal boats. The study also factored in the health and environmental risks that come with recycling
Our team is 50% women including training some of Lamu’s first female carpenters and boat builders.
RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS
CIRCULAR ECONOMY, NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY
This paper shows that novel marine design approaches, such as implementing a circular economy approach at a local scale, is effective in responding to global environmental crises such as plastic pollution. Whilst this process can be used for replacing timber in many applications, the iconic design of a traditional sailing dhow is a powerful tool that impacts on community, enterprise and engagement for environmental sustainability.
UNCTAD HEALTH STUDY
“When plastic pollution is said to affect our health, we usually pay attention. But that burden is not easy to quantify in the most precious currency: time of life lost. A study combining LCA & DALY under The SMEP Programme using evidence from projects including Flipflopi to produce estimations of how many days/years of life are saved by recovering and upcycling waste plastics to make useful materials, that displace the need for producing other materials (and also their equivalent health burdens). Depending on the case and context, up to 24 years of healthy life can be collectively gained for every 1000 tons of plastic material that is recovered and turned into useful materials. Flipflopi’s model ranked as having the highest health gain amongst all the projects that were assessed when applied in a context like ours by fixing the material into products like ours.
SMEP PROGRAMME
This article summarises how our project has succeeded on many levels, not only demonstrating that boat building is feasible and a potentially viable business model, but also facilitating inclusive training on boat construction and mechanical recycling and prototyping a range of products including heritage furniture. It demonstrates the importance of establishing significant community buy-in and supporting the 700 people who are involved in the waste collection value chain.
WITH THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND CONSORTIUM PARTNERS
