Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Development of sustainable eco friendly furniture made from recycled plastic waste. This help people to appreciate the value of plastic waste, educate the masses on alternative use of plastic waste and reduce pressure on the use of timber in furniture.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Capapo Solutions is a youth based social enterprise that provides sustainable eco friendly furniture made from recycled plastic waste while also promoting behavioral change within the community through its public participation initiatives that comprise monthly beach clean ups and school engagement activities. Capapo aims to reduce the menace of marine plastic pollution in Mombasa and also provide durable, cost friendly and eco friendly building materials from plastic waste. With expertise in construction sector we see a niche in alternative material usage in the industry.

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

Despite advancements in waste collection, plastic waste pollution remains a critical global challenge, especially in coastal cities where it devastates marine ecosystems and fosters mosquito-borne diseases like malaria. Current methods primarily relocate rather than eliminate plastic waste, failing to address its long-term environmental impact. We propose repurposing plastic waste into valuable construction materials, leveraging its durability for sustainable building solutions. This approach aims to significantly reduce plastic waste, improve public health by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds, and protect marine ecosystems. By transforming the challenge of plastic waste into an opportunity for innovation, we seek to create a sustainable, lasting solution.

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

1. Durability-Plastic are waterproof and are not susceptible to rot like timber product or rust like metallic products. 2. Abundant raw materials which are environmental friendly as they complete the plastic chain of usage unlike others whose demand leads to environmental degradation like deforestation

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

Our primary beneficiaries are coastal communities, especially in informal settlements, where plastic waste is a significant issue. By collecting this waste, we provide sustainable livelihoods for local waste collectors and improve environmental health. Other key beneficiaries include: Green Building Sector Professionals: Architects and builders who benefit from our durable, eco-friendly materials. Environmental Enthusiasts and Eco-conscious Consumers: Individuals seeking sustainable, affordable outdoor furniture. Educational Institutions and Public Spaces: Schools and parks that gain long-lasting, cost-effective furniture. Businesses and Hospitality Sector: Restaurants and hotels needing sustainable outdoor furnishings. Non-Profit Organizations and Environmental NGOs: Partners in environmental conservation efforts. Global Environment: Our efforts reduce plastic pollution and conserve natural resources, contributing to a healthier planet.

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-01-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

3

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

2

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

Mercy Mnyaka is our product designer. She is an interior designer by proffesion. She is innovative, entrepreneurial, a team player and good public speaker. Teddy Ndei is our market strategist and business analyst. He is an economist and accountant by proffesion. He is innovative,

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

https://capapo.co.ke/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Capapo Solutions provides employment opportunities to waste collectors in coastal communities, particularly in informal settlements. This creates sustainable livelihoods and helps lift individuals out of poverty. Also its social obligations extends to educating the locals on the value of plastic waste.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

3

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

While our activities indirectly support livelihoods, our primary focus is not on food security or agricultural productivity.

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

5

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

By improving the cleanliness of coastal areas and reducing plastic waste, Capapo Solutions helps create healthier living environments, indirectly contributing to better health outcomes.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Our primary focus is not on education, although our environmental initiatives may include educational aspects about sustainability. Moreover, our products could be an integral part of making the educational outdoor environments more friendly and interactive.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Our initiatives are inclusive, but we do not have specific programs targeting gender equality.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

6

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

By removing plastic waste from coastal areas, Capapo Solutions helps prevent water pollution, contributing to cleaner water bodies and improved sanitation.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Our activities are focused on waste recycling and sustainable materials, not directly on energy production or consumption.

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

Capapo Solutions creates decent work opportunities, particularly in waste collection and manufacturing, stimulating economic growth in coastal communities.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

By developing innovative recycling processes and sustainable building materials, we contribute to the growth of green industries and infrastructure.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Our initiatives create opportunities in underserved communities, helping to reduce economic inequalities.

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

Capapo Solutions enhances urban environments by providing durable, sustainable building materials and outdoor furniture, promoting sustainable urban development.

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

Our entire business model revolves around recycling plastic waste and promoting sustainable production practices, directly contributing to responsible consumption and production.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

By reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable materials, we help lower greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate action efforts.

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

Our efforts in removing plastic waste from coastal areas directly protect marine ecosystems, contributing significantly to the health of life below water.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

By reducing the demand for wood through our durable plastic-based products, we help conserve forest ecosystems and protect biodiversity.

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

3

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

Our primary focus is on environmental sustainability rather than governance or institutional development.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Capapo Solutions collaborates with local communities, governments, and NGOs to achieve its sustainability goals, embodying the spirit of partnerships for sustainable development.

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

6

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

4

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

3

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

5

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

4

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

4

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

6

06.08 Justification for my startup

Coastal region is hot and humid, this makes outdoor furniture to be a very attractive product. Recycled plastic use in making furniture is fairly new in Mombasa. We strive to improve on the usage of raw plastic products, timber from coastal trees among others. Our products would be an alternative source of outdoor furniture which makes it an extension of the above products. Demand for 'green products' is growing day by day. We are disrupting the outdoor furniture sector so we are confident that this newer version will become the norm in our environment.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Traditional outdoor furniture makers. Our product are sustainable, durable and versatile. Traditional products raw materials are not environmental friendly. Timber products are accelerators of deforestation and ours depend on plastic waste that are ballooning in our environment.

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

Yes. Our start up is gender balanced. We have a CBO that impacts and help women be part of change. We have a partnership with Maweni primary school where we have impacted girls on importance of plastic waste segregation at source. I initiated these to my partners because I believe that the future belongs to those who are proactively looking for ways of bettering the society and in doing so earn an income.