Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Waste Guard is an innovative initiative dedicated to the collection of waste glass bottles from dumping sites promoting safer environment in relation to job creation from waste for youths.The collected glass is later transported to the recycling plants.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Waste Guard is an innovative initiative dedicated to the collection and recycling of waste glass bottles from bars, hotels, clubs, restaurants and dumping sites which are hazardous to the environment. The collected glass is later crushed to separate glass from other unwanted materials like tops and after crushing is done it's later transported to the recycling plant.The recycling of glass waste reduces demand for new glass production and hence reduce carbon emission.By removing waste glass from dumping sites it creates a hug room for making compost manure that can greatly push the agricultural sector.The innovation of this project has created employment amongst few youths and also we are dedicated in giving back to the society like supporting orphans to continue with quality education by paying part of their school fees through this project.We are dedicated youths who's mind are invested in waste so that we safeguard the environment in order to make the world a better place to live in

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

*The mass glass bottles waste emanating from restaurants, hotels and clubs complicates organic waste collection, disposal and recycling. *The presence of glass bottles has necessitated digging mass pit holes/landfills which get filled up quickly.This leads to ground water contamination and soil through leaching process.By collecting glass waste we discourage landfill and promote farm composting of organic manure. *Production of new glass leads to carbon emission. So when we recycle the glass we reduce carbon emissions. *We collect waste glass bottle, crush and transport it to the recycling plants who pay for the crushed product. This has assisted farmers in Nyamira and Kisii to start making compost manure and promotion of circular economy. *It has also created employment opportunities through waste collection and the entire value chain,thus solving the problem of unemployment amongst youths.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

*Recycling of glass reduces the demand for new glass production and subsequently decrease carbon emissions; one tone of glass recycled into new items saves approximately 315 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions from the manufacture of new glass. *It reduces landfills hence reducing green house gas emissions. *The glass bottle-free organic matter is used in making compost manure. The compost manure from organic waste improves soil fertility and hence increased food production and healthy soils. *It also reduces energy required in manufacturing of new glass. *By removing glass waste from the entire waste safe the environment and creates more employment opportunities.The innovative will finally end the dumping nightmare in waste sector thus converting the waste to a green Opportunity in feature.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

*Over the past 18 months, we have been able to sell over 328 tones of crushed glass bottles from kisii county to the recycling plant called Milly Glass Works Limited in Mombasa and there is always huge demand for the product because it's essential raw material in a glass making industry. Our primary customers are glass recycling plants. *Additionally,industries such as construction and packaging are adopting recycled glass, expanding our potential market. The scalability of our model is promising as sustainability initiatives continue to rise.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-01-20

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

Micah Orina - The co-founder of the project and currently doing a role of financial Management on project. Mary Onchoke- project secretary and charity donation co-ordinator.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560905631659&mibextid=ZbWKwL

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Public health and environmental conservation services in relation to climate change.

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

*This is an innovation that had never existed before in Kisii County and since this waste glass project was established it has generated revenue that has sustained the youths who are employed to work under this project *The innovation of collecting / separating glass waste from the decomposing organic manure creates room to decompose kitchen waste and waste from markets,to come up with composite manure through a process called farm composting.Organic manure is good for the soil thus boosting agriculture sector in crop production.Hance we can produce more crops havest that will end poverty and hunger

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

*The initiative of collecting/separating glass waste from the decomposing organic manure creates room to decompose kitchen waste and waste from markets to come up with composite manure through a process called farm-composting we can produce more food that will end poverty and hunger . Organic manure is good for the soil thus boosting the agriculture sector in crop production. *Through this initiative, the process of collecting, crushing, and separating glass waste has created employment among youths and generated income that sustains us up to now

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

*Glass waste is hazardous to the environment as it does not decompose nor burn up. This has accelerated the existence of dumping areas and landfills. People who live within the dumping area have no access to good natural air because of the bad/rotten smell coming from dumping areas. *Through this project of separating glass waste from other organic waste has made some local people to realize the use of organic manures in crop plantations. if this dream is achieved we can have no dumping or landfills in short the waste will be well utilized and there will be more job creation. Thus everyone including domestic and wild animals will enjoy a healthy environment with no injuries that result from broken glasses or consuming underground water that could have been contaminated by waste through the leaching process

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

since the establishment of this project, it has been generating revenue potion of this money has been used to pay part of the school fees to needy/orphan student just to mention a few "4 orphans received food and other items during their form four exam last year and this year 3 students were fully paid the school fees of term one at motonto secondary school in monyerero ward kitutu chache north Kisii county. *We are planning to scale further if this wonderful initiative from " Total Energies startup " can come to our rescue.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

*At Waste Guard, we strongly encourage gender equality. We have created a room for ladies to work amongst our great team. We also intend to increase the number of women when we scale up since we realized most of them have passion for work and are more dedicated to day in day out activities on the project site.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

*The establishment of this project is part of attacking waste and earning from it in relation of solving the problems under waste and to encourage re-use and recycling practices for for safer environment and clean water .This is the major waste that when its mixed with other waste it makes difficult to reuse other materials or manufacture organic manure. This previously has resulted dumping of waste in landfills thus contaminating underground water through the leaching process. *With the introduction of this project, we the founders of this project are also looking keenly and working around the clock to ensure this other organic waste are well controlled and managed so that we can completely re-use our waste and discourage landfills in order to have clean and safe water for consumption and domestic use.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

*Collecting and recycling glass waste contributes to affordable clean energy in several ways: -Reduced Energy Consumption: Recycling glass uses significantly less energy compared to producing new glass from raw materials. -Glass recycling contributes to affordable clean energy by saving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving natural resources, lowering production costs, and supporting renewable energy technologies. -Preservation of Raw Materials: Recycling glass reduces the need for extracting and processing raw materials such as sand, soda ash, and limestone. This not only conserves natural resources but also decreases the environmental impact associated with mining and transportation. -Job Creation: The recycling industry creates jobs in the collection, sorting, and processing of recyclable materials. This economic activity can contribute to the overall affordability and sustainability of clean energy initiatives.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

*Direct Employment: Recycling facilities and operations create jobs in various roles, including collection, sorting, processing, and manufacturing. *Indirect Employment: The recycling industry also supports jobs in related sectors, such as transportation, equipment manufacturing, and retail. *Technological Advancements: Investing in innovative recycling technologies can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of glass recycling processes, making them more economically viable.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

*Optical Sorting: Using advanced optical sorting technologies to accurately separate glass by color and remove unwanted materials. This increases the purity of recycled glass (cullet), improving its quality for reuse. *Community Engagement: Involving local communities in recycling initiatives can ensure that the benefits of recycling are widely shared and that community needs and priorities are addressed.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

*Access to Resources: Recycling glass reduces the demand for raw materials, making it potentially cheaper to produce new products. This can lead to lower costs for consumers, particularly in underserved communities where affordability is a significant concern. *By integrating these principles into waste management strategies, governments, businesses, and communities can work towards reducing inequalities while promoting environmental sustainability through the management of glass waste.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

*Environmental Benefits: Glass recycling initiative contributes to improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions. When glass is recycled, it requires less energy compared to producing new glass from raw materials like sand, soda ash, and limestone. This aligns with efforts to mitigate climate change and promote environmentally friendly practices within urban areas.Community *Engagement: Implementing glass recycling programs encourages community participation and awareness about waste management and environmental sustainability. It fosters a sense of responsibility among residents towards their local environment and promotes active engagement in city-wide recycling efforts.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

*Recycling glass reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills or incinerators. This helps to minimize environmental pollution and the release of greenhouse gases that occur during the extraction and processing of raw materials. It also extends the lifespan of landfill sites, which are often overburdened in urban areas *Glass recycling contributes to the concept of a circular economy, where materials are continuously reused and recycled. This reduces the overall environmental impact of glass production and consumption by closing the loop on material flows and reducing the need for extraction of virgin resources.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

*When glass waste is recycled instead of being disposed of in landfills, it helps to prevent the release of methane gas into the atmosphere. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming. By diverting glass from landfills, recycling reduces methane emissions and their impact on climate change. *Investing in glass recycling infrastructure and promoting recycling practices enhances a community's resilience to climate change impacts. By reducing energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and landfill waste, communities can better adapt to climate-related challenges and strengthen their environmental sustainability.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

*Glass waste that is improperly disposed of can end up in water bodies, posing risks to marine life through physical harm and ingestion. By recycling glass instead of allowing it to enter waterways, recycling efforts directly reduce the amount of marine debris and mitigate its negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. *

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

*By recycling glass, less waste ends up in landfills, which helps in preserving land ecosystems and habitats. Landfills can release harmful chemicals and greenhouse gases into the environment, impacting biodiversity and soil quality. *Recycling glass reduces the need for extracting raw materials (such as sand, soda ash, and limestone) required to manufacture new glass. This conservation helps in preserving natural habitats and ecosystems that might otherwise be disturbed by mining activities.

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

*Effective recycling programs engage communities in sustainable practices, fostering a sense of ownership and inclusion. This participation strengthens social cohesion and empowers individuals to contribute to societal well-being, which are essential aspects of building strong institutions. *Glass recycling contributes to the Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions goal by promoting transparency, fostering social inclusion, reducing resource conflicts, supporting environmental governance, and building resilient communities. These contributions are crucial for creating equitable, accountable, and peaceful societies worldwide.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

*Glass recycling involves partnerships between governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and communities. These partnerships facilitate knowledge sharing, resource mobilization, and joint efforts to achieve recycling targets and sustainable development objectives. *Collaborative partnerships in glass recycling raise public awareness about the importance of waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable consumption. By advocating for policy reforms and promoting behavioral changes, these partnerships encourage broader societal engagement and commitment to achieving recycling and environmental targets.

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

3

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

*It embodies the principles of a circular economy where waste materials, in this case, glass, are not seen as disposable but as valuable resources that can be continuously reused and recycled into new products. *Energy Savings: Recycling glass consumes less energy compared to manufacturing glass from raw materials (sand, soda ash, limestone). For every ton of recycled glass used in production, energy savings can be as high as 50%, reducing carbon emissions and contributing to sustainability goals. *Community Engagement: Many glass recycling initiatives involve community participation through collection programs, which not only increase recycling rates but also foster a sense of environmental responsibility and civic engagement among residents.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

*The main competitors are those people who are on the ground who buys specific brands of bottle that are directly used for repacking but they don't mostly collect from dumpsite but they make order from clubs and restaurants.They also have people who delivers readily on their yard. *Unlike us we don't choose brands since we are not targeting repacking but we are mainly focused on recycling and controlling glass waste completely

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes- in suneka a sub-county in kisii count i have ladies whom i shared the idea to them and they have started to collect this glass waste and sell it to me.This act has made them to start developing entrepreneur mindset