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Watamu Community Solid Waste Management and Recycling Enterprises
SEED Winner
Year of participation:2011
Region:Africa
Subject:Waste management
“Watamu Community Solid Waste Management and Recycling Enterprises” serves as an example of successful cooperation between community organisations and the local marine tourism industry in creating a plastic recycling value chain. The results are cleaned-up beaches and new employment opportunities for women and youth.
Original project description
The initiative deals with solid waste pollution in Watamu Marine Park and Reserve beaches and nearby villages. By combining environmental welfare and conservation tasks with community empowerment, employment and alternative income generation, the initiative sets an example for community-based waste management.
The initiative creates income opportunities for the community through employment and waste recycling. The income generated from plastic recycling operations helps the initiative to remain operational and sustainable. In addition, art and other interesting objects produced from the waste collected will be sold at tourist outlets.
Plastic waste – currently harvested free of charge in the project area – can be processed and sold to recycling businesses throughout Kenya. Local firms support the initiative through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) sponsorship activities, enabling community members to turn plastic waste into a saleable commodity.
Social impact: The initiative will increase the level of weekly employment for at least 40 women and young people, and provide full-time employment for five waste recycling operators. It will also provide arts and crafts training to 20 women and members of youth groups, improving their income-generating opportunities.
Environmental impact: The aim is to recycle over 70 % of plastic waste in Watamu and provide regular weekly waste collection along 7 km of Marine Park beaches. This will significantly reduce plastic pollution in marine protected areas and help protect sea turtle nesting habitats.
Economic impact: A weekly income will be generated for 45 community waste collectors and operators as well as 20 producers of arts and crafts. The plan is to set up pro-poor small business enterprises selling art and other interesting items made from waste materials.
Current project updates
Last updated: 30 November 1999
Growth plans description
- Expand the initiative’s plastic processing capacity and activities and develop links to the national plastic recycling industry.
- Develop the initiative’s art and craft skills base and promote products via tourist outlets.
- Increase the amount of plastic waste collected in the Watamu area.
- Expand the marketing and business networks already established locally and nationally.
Current Needs
- Training to help develop art and craft skills.
- Business management training.
- Business network building.
- Acquisition of a waste collection vehicle.
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