The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Kenya on Thursday, May 18, announced the winners of Mombasa Plastics Prize Awards and Celebration in the Coastal town.
USAID Kenya stated that Team Twende Green Ecocycle, a group of young innovators from the Coast seeking solutions to ocean plastic pollution that also help their communities, won Ksh3.5 million.
The team, led by a 22-year-old innovator, won the USAID Mombasa Plastics Prize for their project to build much-needed school eco-desks out of plastic waste.
“The Mombasa Plastics Prize is a powerful example of how recognition and rewards can serve as a catalyst for change.
"By tapping into Kenya’s burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystem, empowering young innovators and celebrating their achievements, we can create a brighter and more sustainable future," stated Anna Ghnouly, USAID Kenya and East Africa Environment Office.
The team's founder, Mercy Mwangi, an Environmental engineer was inspired to start the project after seeing the amount of plastic pollution in her community.
She realised that she could use her skills to help solve the problem while also providing a valuable service to her community.
USAID Kenya Administrator Samantha Power explained that the team had gelled with their society from where they collected plastic waste, especially, on the streets and beaches of Mombasa.
She noted that Team Twende Green Ecocycle then uses a special machine to recycle the plastic into a material that can be used to make school eco-desks.
The desks are durable, easy to clean, and affordable, and made from recycled materials, which helps to reduce pollution.
"Challenge Works is pleased to announce the winning teams of the Mombasa Plastics Prize Awards and Celebration. The awards, which showcased the most effective solutions to tackle Mombasa’s marine plastics problem, were the culmination of a six-month initiative funded by USAID and Global Affairs Canada," Anna Ghnouly noted.
While addressing the gathering during the prize-giving ceremony, Team Twende Green Ecocycle explained that their organisation aims to promote sustainable development by recycling marine plastic waste from informal settlements into school eco-desks.
"Our company uses advanced recycling technology to transform discarded plastic waste into durable, high-quality school lockable eco-desk that meets the needs of both students and teachers.
"We are committed to making a positive impact on the environment, while also supporting education development and creating employment opportunities for the local community." Team Twende Green Ecocycle stated.
It was revealed that the team had already built and donated over 100 eco-desks to schools in Mombasa. They are planning to continue their work and expand their reach to other parts of Kenya.
SAID Kenya & East Africa Environment Office stated that Team Twende Green Ecocycle were also working on developing other products made from recycled plastic, such as chairs, tables, and bins.
USAID observed that Team Twende Green Ecocycle is a great example of how young people can use their skills and creativity to make a difference in the world.
They are finding solutions to environmental problems that are also helping to improve the lives of people in their community.
The second position was taken by Team Eco-Redemptors who are on a mission to create sustainable products from plastic waste through the establishment of a recycling facility in Mombasa that offers fair pricing for the plastic waste they collect.
Team Eco-Redemptors took home Ksh2.5 million, while the third position was taken by Team Oceania Pacesetter who won Ksh1.2 million.
"Team Oceania Pacesetter is on a mission to tackle plastic pollution by creating simple devices that intercept plastic waste. With peddlers and an anchored net, they collect debris directly from the ocean. The collected plastics are then repurposed to create art installations, DIYs, and other creative projects.," USAID bosses Stated during the ceremony.
