While many people and organizations continue to find alternative solutions to plastic waste, the challenge continues to affect many communities. Our reporter Christabel Adhiambo spoke to a Kenyan artist who is making a fortune from the recycling used plastic bottles.
Nyachio popularly known as Mhandisi Junoo is a Kenyan artist who ventured into plastic recycling after discovering practical ways to contribute to a more sustainable future using plastics. He is the CEO of Junoo designs which is located in Mombasa. Paul earned his nickname ‘Junoo’ due to his creativity as a child. He would make artistic toys beyond the capability of his agemates thus, friends named him Mhandisi (Swahili translation for an engineer).
Junoo is passionate about environmental issues and wanted to ensure sustainable societies. After his high school, he was determined to ensure a green and clean environment. He decided to make use of his smart phone and started a YouTube channel. Through learning on YouTube, Junoo learnt ways to recycle used plastic bottles.
“I was motivated by the need to change lives in the community by keeping the environment green and clean. It was my great wish to do this while meeting my daily needs and I could not think of anything better than venturing into plastic recycling.”
~ Junoo
He started making his products in 2021 on orders from people around his community. Today, he showcases his products next to his house which is along the road. He also displays them on his social media accounts and it has evidently been a good channel since he has been getting a
lot of orders from across the country and abroad.
A basket made of recycled plastic bottle
Recycled bottles as raw materials
Junoo uses the bottles to make house accessories such as brooms, mats, winnowing basket and flowers. He wakes up early in the morning and goes to collect the disposed bottles. He then washes them before drying them in the sun. Afterwards, he cuts the bottles into strings of the desired shape.
The prices of his products ranges between Kshs50 and Kshs1000depending on the size and design. In a day he makes at least 10 items and he can sell upto 70 pieces a week. He cites lack of enough man power in his station as a challenge. “With a bigger team, I would scale up my production. High shipping costs impedes my business expansion outside the country.
Recycling Skills Transfer
Apart from making his products, Junoo offers training on bottle recycling to interested candidates. He charges Sh500 per person per week.
Junoo wants to be remembered as a visionary in the field of recycling waste, who not only prioritized environmental impact but also demonstrated the financial viability of sustainable practices.
I want to be remembered as a visionary in the field of recycling waste, who not only prioritized environmental impact but also demonstrated the financial viability of sustainable practices.
~Junoo
“Always remember, every small step towards recycling plastic makes a big impact on our planet. I want people to embrace this new methods of making money while conserving the environment. I also wish to change the mentality of the youngsters so that they may be able venture into fields that offer self employment which requires small capital to start. Together, we can create a greener future,” he concludes.
In the news…
The Kenya Plastics Pact is a collaborative platform comprising critical stakeholders from the government, the private sector including manufacturers and retailers, Extended Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), civil society, and the informal waste sector yesterday announced its commitment to combat plastic pollution through innovative solutions.
By 2030, the Pact hopes to:
- 1. Eliminate unnecessary or problematic single-use plastic packaging items through redesign, innovation, and reuse delivery models;
- 2. Ensure 100% of plastic packaging is reusable or recyclable;
- 3. Ensure 40 % of plastic packaging is effectively recycled;
- 4. Increase the average recycled content to 15% across all plastic packaging.
