The FlipFlopi Project

Yap Yap! Flipflopi awarded Innovative Project of the Year in the Circular Economy Awards! This recognition is a testament to the collective commitment of the entire Flipflopi team and our collectors and partners towards advancing the principles of circular economy in Kenya and beyond. And congratulations to all the other awardees 👏🏾 🙌🏾 (Sustainable Inclusive Business Kenya @NEMA) This is a moment to take stock and give thanks to everyone knowing that we still have so much to do and no time to waste so onwards it is with the plastic revolution! Special thanks to all our partners and sponsors current and past, to our community on the East African coast and across Lake Victoria; and to all our friends, and family, and individual supporters across the world - we dedicate this to all of you. Asante Sana! The SMEP Programme ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna CMA CGM PKF in Eastern Africa ARK Group International @KaysFoundation , @LamuCounty Carlotta Dal Lago H.E. Prof Judi Wakhungu EGH David Obura Ali Kaka Karim Anjarwalla @johnblashfordsnell Newcastle University rePurpose Global Northumbria University

Our business accelerator pilot for waste collectors has kicked off. 🎉🎉 Last week we welcomed Juma and Tilen from @mtaasafiintiative, who are leading the training of 10 amazing women who are part of our waste collection network in Lamu. The accelerator will focus on building the leadership, business and technical skills of collectors, with microfinancing support provided to successful participants. We're excited for this incredible opportunity to give back to those who have tirelessly worked to keep the Lamu Archipelago clean. 🙏🏾 More updates to come over the next few weeks. The SMEP Programme #MtaaSafi #WomenEmpowerment

Last week, we had the pleasure of participating in the inaugural Climate and Health Africa Conference in Harare, Zimbabwe, bringing together hundreds of researchers, scientists, policymakers, and educators working at the intersection of climate change and health across the continent. The conference gave us an excellent platform to spotlight the nexus between plastic waste, climate change and health across the plastic production and waste management value chain as well as the sector's rapidly growing contribution to GHG emissions. At the opening session, programme manager Davina Ngei shared a presentation on Flipflopi's transdisciplinary research & work tackling plastic pollution, highlighting: ⭐ The impact of ocean-based and ocean-bound plastic on Lamu's fragile ecosystem ⭐ Findings from the 2024 SMEP report that seeks to understand the health implications of recycling initiatives, and which estimates a life gain of 24 years per 1 thousand tonnes of recycled plastic used in boatbuilding ⭐ The critical need for reduction in consumption and production ⭐ Opportunities for a regional approach to policy, highlighting the proposed East African Community Single-Use Plastic Bill that aims to harmonise legislation and ban unnecessary SUPs. A big thank you to the organisers led by Fortunate Machingura, PhD and Stanley Luchters, as well as The SMEP Programme and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) team who have supported us in our technical research. Henrique Pacini Glen Wilson Carlotta Dal Lago Read the SMEP report here: https://lnkd.in/dKtdv3wE

Fresh off the Press! Excited to have a chapter about the Flipflopi in the first ROUTELEDGE "Handbook of Archaeology and Plastics" penned by Carinè Müller, Victor Béguerie and Rebecca Faber. The Handbook investigates the archaeology of the contemporary world through the lens of its most distinguishing and problematic material. Plastics are ubiquitous and have been so for nearly three generations since they became widely used in the early 1950s. Plastics will persist for millennia, their legacies as toxic heritage being felt deep into the future. In this book – comprising 32 original, at times disturbing, and critically engaged contributions – scholars from archaeology and other cognate disciplines explore plastics from a number of different angles and perspectives. Together these contributions highlight the dilemma that plastics present: their usefulness on the one hand, and the threats they present to environmental health on the other. The volume also explores the lessons that archaeologists can learn from plastics, about episodes of mass production, consumption and toxicity in the past, and also – importantly – about the future. This important and timely collection will therefore be of interest to all archaeologists irrespective of their period of study, or their geographical focus, and to students of archaeology and cultural heritage. It will also be relevant for researchers and students in other fields of study that focus on plastics and their environmental and social impacts. Ultimately, this book concerns the contemporary world and the impact of people upon it, through the archaeological lens. More here: https://lnkd.in/dsyhtieN The SMEP Programme

Africa is facing a severe plastic pollution crisis, endangering both ecosystems and human health. Though the continent accounts for just 5% of global plastic production, rapid urbanization and population growth are driving an increase in single-use plastic waste. In Kenya, plastics make up 12% of solid waste—about 966,000 tonnes annually—and even Rwanda struggles despite its plastic bans. The East Africa SUP Bill proposes harmonized legislation and a ban on unnecessary plastics. Strengthening and streamlining national and regional waste management regulatory frameworks is essential to tackle the growing challenge of single-use plastic pollution effectively. However, as highlighted in this interesting analysis from Nation, we need innovation, circular economy initiatives, improved waste management, and public awareness to drive real change. https://lnkd.in/dRxDWuTY Henrique Pacini Glen Wilson The FlipFlopi Project Rosa Nduati-Mutero Faith Macharia #BeatPlasticPollution #PlasticRevolution #PlasticTrade #PlasticPollution #PlasticCredits #SubstituteSUPs #EastAfrica #ALNimpact

Flipflopi receives the ifaw “Innovator of the Year” Award! 🙏🏾⛵️🙌🏾 The prestigious annual Animal Action Awards puts a spotlight on the unsung heroes while also recognising winners from around the world. This year’s awards ceremony, held at BAFTA, London, was presented by Sudanese-born wildlife presenter and cameraman, Hamza Yassin, known for BBC shows including Countryfile, Strictly Come Dancing and Hamza: Strictly Birds of Prey. According to Azzedine T. Downes, President and CEO, IFAW: “Every year incredible and inspirational stories emerge of those whose unwavering commitment to conservation fulfils a deep sense of stewardship and ensures an enduring positive impact for animals, people and the place we call home.” Asante Sana ifaw for all you do. An honor to have received the award. Watch this short video below 👏 👇 The SMEP Programme H.E. Prof Judi Wakhungu EGH CMA CGM ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna

🌍 Urgent action needed on waste management in East Africa! According to the UN Environment Programme Global Waste Management Outlook, “municipal solid waste generation is predicted to grow from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050.” In just one year (2020), “the hidden costs of pollution, poor health and climate change from poor waste disposal practices, is USD 361 billion.” In Lamu County, Kenya, where we have been operating a recovery, recycling and upcycling facility for plastics with over 300 tonnes recovered in two years, we are increasingly faced by more single use plastics or poorly manufactured packaging and products that are difficult if not impossible. At the recently concluded Africa Waste is Wealth Conference, Governor Wilber Ottichilo who is also Chair of the Council of Governors for Environment and Climate Change, emphasized that Counties across Kenya are struggling with waste management - a reality we see daily in our own County. The UNEP report goes on to state that economic growth must be decoupled from waste generation and “only a drastic reduction in waste generation will secure a liveable and affordable future.” Increasingly, governments are beginning to recognise this and embracing regional and international approaches. Our proposed regional Bill on unnecessary single use plastics drafted by our long term partners ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna is one mechanism that can effectively reduce waste generation. The Bill was presented once again during the conference and several stakeholders meetings held. Chief Guests including, PS for Trade Alfred Ombudo K'Ombudo, DG Mamo Boru Mamo, EBS (National Environment Management Authority), representatives of the East African Legislative Assembly including Hon. Francoise UWUMUKIZA and many more showed their support towards the proposed Bill and commitment to reduction measures. Special thanks to TakaTaka Ni Mali ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna for organising the event and providing a platform for further engagement on the Bill and to our core supporters and partners, The SMEP Programme, and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Read media story here: https://lnkd.in/dJU3mp8s Resource page on East African Campaign on Single Use Plastics: https://lnkd.in/dyPzyHuv Conference Page: https://lnkd.in/dWvCA8Ty #WasteManagement #SustainableAfrica #PlasticPollution #CircularEconomy Carlotta Dal Lago Henrique Pacini Rosa Nduati-Mutero Faith Macharia

“The Flipflopi Project is playing a vital role in engaging the public at large in thinking about plastic differently. They have a colourful and innovative way of talking about the issue – and their message is really hitting home, reaching parts of the population that other initiatives seldom do.” H.E. Prof Judi Wakhungu EGH Watch the recent feature from Firstpost News: https://lnkd.in/dVxYA6Br The SMEP Programme UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna

How can we leverage the power of communities and cutting-edge technology to streamline East Africa’s waste management? The upcoming Africa Waste is Wealth series will showcase groundbreaking initiatives that bring communities together and use innovative tech to transform waste into wealth. Here's how: • Community-Led Waste Management: Empowering local communities to actively manage and reduce waste, creating jobs and fostering ownership. • Digital Platforms: Using tech to connect waste collectors, recyclers, and industries, enabling more efficient and transparent waste management systems. • Data-Driven Solutions: Utilizing real-time data to monitor waste flows and improve recycling rates, ensuring a more sustainable future. • Tech-Enabled Circular Economy: Locally developed apps and technology are helping the transition to a circular economy where nothing goes to waste. Join online now for #AWWS2024 and find out more on how we can work hand-in-hand to accelerate green solutions. https://lnkd.in/dcJA2Jy8 The SMEP Programme ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) TakaTaka Ni Mali rePurpose Global

To end plastic pollution, multilateralism is the only way forward. For this to happen, we need to see strong leadership and active engagement from all stakeholders. Kenya has recently joined the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution alongside Rwanda and several other countries committed to develop an ambitious international legally binding instrument based on a comprehensive and circular approach that ensures urgent action and effective interventions along the full lifecycle of plastics. As a leader in legislative action against plastic pollution, East African countries continue to pass legislation to tackle the plastics issue with several countries enacting laws against certain single-use plastics (SUPs). Everyone has a role to play and ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna continues to show leadership and true commitment driving our proposed regional Draft Bill on Single Use Plastics forward. Join us next week to examine the current legal landscape surrounding waste management in East Africa, highlighting regulatory gaps, enforcement challenges, and the role of policy in promoting sustainable practices. Register for session: https://lnkd.in/eWa8qK_X Read article: https://lnkd.in/dminkeKF TakaTaka Ni Mali The SMEP Programme UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) rePurpose Global Carlotta Dal Lago Rosa Nduati-Mutero Faith Macharia