Two Kenyan brothers Rashid and Mahamud Omari were featured by American media outlet Tech Insider for their eco-friendly innovation of converting old newspapers into pencils.
The two founded the Momo Pencils, a company that converts newspaper cuts into a wood-like component before adding graphite to complete the production of pencils.
Mahamud noted that the idea was birthed with the intention of reducing the pressure mounted on natural resources across the world for the purpose of manufacturing.
"We decided that we would use the pencil to create awareness on climate change," he told Tech Insider.
The process of converting the raw material involves nine steps. Momo pencils sources its raw material, newspapers, from households and business enterprises within Nairobi.
Newspapers are dissembled into sheets, with a double-page producing up to three pencils. Using wood glue, a graphite rid is mounted to a single paper, with other layers subsequently glued onto the maiden sheet.
"The glue is essential in harnessing the strength of the paper, and the process requires a lot of training to do. If a lot of paste is used, then it takes longer for the final mold to stick together," Radhid explained.
Subsequently, the overlapping layers off paper are placed in a machine which rolls it into the cylindrical shape. The pencils are then aired out in the sun to dry for seven days.
Company workers then begin the sanding process to smoothen the surface of the pencils - this is done by hand. Pencils are then imprinted with designs which can be customized to suit client needs.
They are then run through a machine that laminates the final product. The employees then sharpen the pencils before they are packaged for distribution.
On a daily basis, 100,000 pencils are churned out by the company. However, Rahid and Mahamud admitted to facing a number of challenges including high production costs.
For instance, they pay their staff about Ksh2000 a day, nearly three times the average wage. The high costs also make it difficult for them to find clients.
"Our target is clients who are aligned to the vision of environmental conservation and those who embrace eco-friendly, Kenyan manufacturing," the manufacturers stated.
Momo Pencils donates 3,000 pencils annually to Kenyan children, and with each donation, a tree is planted. Rashid and Mahamud view the pencil as a powerful empowerment tool to the Kenyan population.
