Engineer James Muritu showcases the custom-built machinery at his Kenol, Murang’a workshop used to convert plastic waste into eco-friendly diesel fuel.
In the bustling town of Kenol, nestled in Kenya’s Murang’a County, a quiet revolution is underway—one that is not only helping to solve Kenya’s plastic pollution crisis but also offering a bold new path to clean, affordable energy.
At the heart of it is James Muritu, a self-taught software and hardware engineer whose innovation is transforming plastic waste into fuel.
In a country grappling with the twin crises of mounting plastic pollution and soaring fuel prices, Muritu’s initiative offers a rare blend of hope, pragmatism, and science-backed sustainability.
Through his company, Progreen Innovations, Muritu is proving that waste can be a valuable resource.
The Problem: Plastic Pollution and Soaring Fuel Costs
Kenya, like much of the world, is battling a deluge of plastic waste.
Despite bans on single-use plastics and public awareness campaigns, millions of tonnes of plastic continue to clog rivers, landscapes, and urban spaces.
The environmental consequences are dire—from harming marine ecosystems to contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
At the same time, Kenya has experienced dramatic fluctuations in fuel prices, a situation that has left consumers and businesses reeling.
For many, this has meant higher costs of production, increased transport expenses, and shrinking profits.
In the face of these twin challenges, Muritu saw an opportunity. He began asking a simple but powerful question: “What if we could turn this plastic problem into a fuel solution?”
The Response: Engineering a Solution
Muritu’s journey was not quick or easy. It began over two years ago with intensive research and experimentation.
For 18 months, he poured time, energy, and personal finances into building a system capable of safely converting plastic waste into usable diesel fuel.
“Setting up the system was costly because I had to fund the research and build the production infrastructure myself,” he recalls.
“The project is capital intensive, and meeting all the compliance requirements including the certifications was a major challenge.”
But Muritu persisted. In 2023, he officially registered Progreen, and by 2024, his alternative diesel had been tested and certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
The product was so impressive that it won the KEBS award for the most innovative diesel product of the year.
Now, Progreen produces about 4,000 liters of diesel every month, which is primarily supplied to a major industrial manufacturer. But this is just the beginning.
With the right support, Muritu believes his facility could ramp up production to 50,000 liters per month.
“I have identified a niche in the industrial sector where fuel costs are high and many manufacturers have welcomed this alternative as a cost-cutting solution,” he says.
Evidence of Impact: Fuel, Jobs, and Cleaner Communities
Muritu’s innovation is not just about fuel—it’s about transforming lives and landscapes.
Since launching his recycling initiative, over 80,000 tonnes of plastic waste have been processed.
This waste, which might have otherwise ended up in rivers or been incinerated in the open air, has been diverted from landfills and transformed into energy.
“When converted into carbon rating, this amounts to 200 tons of carbon emissions,” he explains.
“This is plastic waste that could have ended up in rivers or been burned in the open air, releasing harmful greenhouse gases. Instead, we’re converting it into something useful.”
To ensure that his solution does not contribute to pollution during production, Muritu has installed a gas scrubbing system to neutralize emissions.
This environmental consciousness is deeply embedded in Progreen’s mission, which includes goals such as promoting clean energy, reducing landfill waste, and contributing toward zero carbon emissions.
Beyond environmental benefits, the initiative has created meaningful employment.
Progreen employs seven full-time factory workers and partners with approximately 20 individuals who collect waste for recycling.
These waste collectors, often from informal settlements, now have a reliable source of income.
Insight: Reimagining Waste as an Economic Resource
Muritu’s work stands as a compelling case study of how waste can be redefined as wealth.
He has not stopped at diesel. Looking toward the future, he is piloting the production of petrol and has begun tests with 50 consumers.
Once certified, he plans to expand to serve small-scale farmers, boda boda riders, and other segments of the mass market.
But perhaps his most surprising innovation lies in what happens after the fuel is made.
The residue left from the plastic conversion process is repurposed into eco-friendly heating blocks.
These blocks are made from dried and ground organic waste, including avocado processing residues and household garbage, which is collected by local waste collectors.
“Currently, I am using waste from an avocado processing plant that produces oil; they don’t have anywhere to dispose of it, so they bring it to me,” he says.
“I also get organic waste from garbage collectors, which we dry, grind, and mix to make the brick.”
These bio-blocks are designed to power his furnace, closing the loop on waste and energy. But they have broader potential too.
Muritu is now targeting tea factories, many of which still rely on firewood for heating.
He aims to scale production of the blocks to 80 tonnes per month, offering a cleaner, affordable alternative to firewood that could help curb deforestation.
A Scalable Model Rooted in Local Innovation
Muritu’s approach—innovative, locally rooted, and environmentally sound—exemplifies what many experts are now calling a circular economy model.
It’s an idea that waste can be recycled, reused, and repurposed continuously to reduce reliance on finite resources.
“I’m currently seeking partners and investors to help expand the project to an industrial level so we can recycle waste on a larger scale,” he says.
His model is not only scalable but replicable, with the potential to serve other countries and even countries facing similar challenges.
To protect his idea and ensure its long-term viability, Muritu has patented his process through the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI).
This step not only safeguards his intellectual property but also underscores the originality and commercial potential of his innovation.
Beyond Technology: A Shift in Mindset
What makes Muritu’s story remarkable is not just the science—it’s the mindset. His work challenges deeply held perceptions about waste and what’s possible with local innovation.
“We are a Waste to Fuel manufacturer with a focus on turning waste plastic and waste organic matter into usable and affordable energy solutions,” reads Progreen’s mission statement.
This isn’t just a business—it’s a social and environmental mission built on five pillars: waste management, job creation, alternative fuel solutions, zero carbon emissions, and environmental protection.
Each litre of diesel, each heating block, and each ton of plastic processed represents a step toward a more sustainable, self-reliant future—one where communities manage their waste, power their homes, and protect their ecosystems using homegrown solutions.
Looking Ahead: The Need for Support and Policy Alignment
Despite its early success, Progreen’s future depends on scaling up.
The demand is there, the innovation is proven—but like many startups tackling complex issues, funding remains a barrier.
Muritu is candid about the challenges of raising capital in Kenya’s innovation ecosystem, especially for green technologies.
Certification processes, infrastructure development, and operational costs require significant investment.
He is calling on investors, policymakers, and development partners to support initiatives like his that align with Kenya’s broader climate and industrialization goals.
His work also offers a model for the government’s green growth and climate resilience strategies.
By integrating such innovations into county and national waste management plans, authorities can help reduce landfill pressure, promote cleaner fuel alternatives, and create green jobs.
Innovation with Impact
In a world where innovation often feels distant or out of reach, James Muritu’s work is refreshingly grounded. It speaks to the power of necessity, ingenuity, and resilience.
By turning plastic into diesel, garbage into heating blocks, and discarded waste into economic opportunity, Muritu is not just building a business—he’s laying the foundation for a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable future for Murang’a and beyond.
And he’s doing it one liter, one block, and one partnership at a time.
As Progreen’s motto boldly declares: “Waste Finds Purpose.” Indeed, in Kenol town, that purpose is fueling transformation.
