Kenyan entrepreneur Nzambi Matee founded Gjenge Makers, a Nairobi-based startup that recycles plastic waste into durable, affordable bricks. These bricks are made by mixing plastic waste with sand and heating the mixture to produce a material that is stronger than traditional concrete. Matee’s innovation addresses both plastic pollution and the demand for sustainable building materials in Kenya.
Gjenge Makers produces between 500 to 1,500 bricks per day, recycling approximately 500 kilograms of plastic waste daily. The pavers have a melting point over 350°C and are fully certified by the Kenyan Bureau of Standards. Matee’s efforts have been recognized internationally; she was named a Young Champion of the Earth 2020 Africa winner by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
This initiative not only contributes to reducing plastic waste but also provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional construction materials, promoting sustainable development in the region.
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