Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

I run a small Waste segregation and recycling company called Almasea in Ngong town Kenya. I was inspired by the need to recycle materials like plastics and paper to conserve natural resources and create employment opportunities in the circular economy.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

I started with PET plastics when I got an offer from T3 company to be their collector. Since then I diversified to include other plastics like HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP and PS and other materials like Paper, Which I sell to local recycling companies. My goal is to expand operations to venture into waste collection to implement the sorting solutions more efficiently.

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

Solid waste management is a serious problem in our community. It is a common sight in urban areas or its outskirts to find garbage strewn in the open. Recyclable materials are then selectively removed from the mess by youths who sell them to recyclers. The rest of the garbage sits where it has been dumped untill the rainy season when the water drags it into drainage systems causing floods and expensive maintenance costs. The pollution is affecting marine ecosystems worldwide.

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

The environment is going to be cleaner when materials are recycled. The carbon footprint for recycling is smaller than producing goods from natural resources. The energy stored in the materials should also not go to waste. It can be recovered and converted to do useful work. The goal is to make production and consumption more sustainable by getting the most value of what we can access.

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

Local recycling businesses are going to get raw materials for operations. If my company's operations grow, it will have more capacity to provide dignified employment to more people. The conservation effort will bear fruits that future generations will enjoy.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-01-30

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.)

The other owners are my mother and brother. My mother is a groceries vendor in the local market while my brother is a metal fabricator.

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=100087796297296

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

My startup will contribute in creating employment oppotrunities in the value chain of the products which we shall be recycling as well as in itself. I have been able to fund other personal projects like urban farming through proceeds gained from Almasea. We are also currently buying Plastics and paper from other collectors Which has ensured a market for products which would have otherwise ended up in the garbage sites.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

most of the materials we get are used to package food. the plastics are used for beverages and the cartons are used to package almost everything. The organic waste from groceries vendors and restaurants are used to feed chickens rabbits and goats that are I also own. By careful conservation of natural resources through recycling, more resources will be available for food production. There is also a vertical garden in the compound that I implemented with PET resin. The recycling of organic materials from vegetable waste to formulate feeds for chickens and rabbits has helped us to have more diversity in food.

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

My startup is causing a big change in the way people see their trash. That it can be sold for cash to make other useful products is really satisfying. However, to do that safely and efficiently, I need to invest more in infrastructure and personal protection euipment like gloves, safety boots and masks for the collectors and those who sort. Moreover, the heavy labour helps me keep fit.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Most of the knowledge I use in the business was acquired in primary and secondary school. By creating awareness of the operations in my business, The science behind recycling of materials like plastics will be well known.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

In my startup, Both male and females have equal opportunities.

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

By eliminating trash from the environment, there will be an improvement in the quality of soil, water and air available for use. Currently, garbage is controlled by burning in the open air, which contributes to pollution and degradation of soil, water and air. By sorting of the garbage to separate recyclables, there is a significant reduction in the rate of environmental degradation through incineration of domestic wastes.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

5

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Recycling will help to save energy as recycled materials require less energy to manufacture than from virgin materials.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Recycling industry is growing in Kenya, providing more and more jobs for the youth. My intention is to provide opportunities for decent work while changing how the world handles its trash. The jobs will be created at every stage of the circular economy... from production, marketing and sales, to collecting and returning to producers.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Since it is a new industry, more inclusion will inspire innovation.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Even though inequality can be reduced, it cannot be eliminated. It is natural to have people who are more privileged in some way than others. However, satisfaction and fulfilment in the knowledge that someone is doing something positive can grealy improve quality of life.

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

By reducing wastage of natural resources and materials, cities and communities are going to be more sustainable.

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

By enabling more recycling, there is going to be more responsible production without damaging the natural environment.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Recycling has a direct impact on the climate. It has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of production and consumption and provide solution for the problems caused by pollution.

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

Whenever it rains in my locality, it is common to see drainage systems clogged by garbage. some of this trash flows into the river and into the oceans, by promoting recycling culture in our community, there can be a reversal in the trend.

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

My startup will reduce the area covered by landfills so there will be more space for wildlife and other land animals. The trees that are going to be spared from being cut down to provide pulp for the paper industry are will continue nurturing habitats for birds, insects and other terrestrial animals.

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

4

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

The work of my organization is possible because there is peace and security in my locality.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

My startup does not deal with a local challenge. Pollution is a global problem. I am open to partner with other organizations to achieve the improvements I envision.

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.

3

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.

4

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.

6

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

4

06.08 Justification for my startup

Recycling is natural. But some materials like plastics decompose very slowly in nature. While my organization is not alone in recycling, it needs to be supported to make it more effective and efficient.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

There are more established recycling companies but there is still an opportunity for my organization to grow.

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

Yes. Most of the people i interact with on business are female entrepreneurs.