Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Circular plastic waste management economy for a cleaner environment

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Chakata, a Kenyan-born solution, tackles the ever-present challenge of plastic waste management not just in Kenya, but across Africa. We understand that a "one-size-fits-all" approach won't work. Chakata focuses on creating a sustainable system for managing solid waste, specifically plastic waste, which is a major concern in Kenya and Africa. We aim to reduce pollution, improve sanitation, and prevent environmental damage. Recognizing the link between waste and livelihoods, Chakata empowers youth, women, and marginalized groups. We equip them with the skills and resources needed to secure jobs within the waste management sector, promoting economic opportunities and poverty reduction.

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

The main problem Chakata aims to solve is the challenge of plastic waste management in Kenya and the larger Africa

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

1. The major challenge Chakata seeks to address is the perennial and persistent problem of plastic waste and the attendant pollution, Chakata directly addresses this issue through the upcycling of plastic waste through the diversion of plastic waste and similar products from landfills and dumpsites 2. We endeavor to go beyond waste collection, we maintain a sustainable approach that focuses on the long term solution by implementing sustainable practices for managing plastic waste. 3. At the heart of everything we do is community, we recognize the potential of the waste management sector to create employment opportunities, we want to train and equip youth, women and other marginalized groups with skills and resources they need to make a living. 4. At the same time we anticipate improved public health as a result of our work within the waste management sector 5. Chakata's approach involves developing new technologies within plastic waste management thus fostering innovation.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

1. Our core mission of diverting plastic waste from landfills and dumpsites directly serves the ENVIRONMENT. 2. LOCAL COMMUNITIES are empowered by our project because we are centered at creating value for the various diverse people in Kenya 3. MARGINALIZED GROUPS stand to benefit the most as our project is specifically curated in a manner that gives them priority providing them with skills and resources fit for the job 4. The waste management sector stands to benefit given that we focus on creating a sustainable system of plastic waste management

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-05-12

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

0

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

N/A

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

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

j) Public services

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

1.Chakata has the potential to afford and empower people in the society with employment opportunities, skills as well as resources to afford them an opportunity to make a living 2. Through the sustainable system for waste management we seek to afford not only silver bullet solutions to the problem but also long-term opportunities

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Chakats has a focus on cleaner environment this tacitly means that diseases will be reduced and that will positively impact the ability of people to work and grow food. At the same time we aim to reduce the reliance on landfills and dumpsites this concomitantly results in the freeing up of land that can potentially be used for agricultural purposes

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

1. Proper waste management , especially plastic reduces the risk of diseases that are attendant to overflowing landfills and dumpsites 2. At the same instance the overall effect is that there is a general improvement of the sanitation systems 3. Chakata's approach of empowering communities involves promoting awareness and education leading to better hygiene practices and healthier living

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Chakata specifically targets to empower women through job creation in the waste management sector, our approach involves engaging with local communities in the waste management process and we want to afford women with the opportunities to lead, contribute and own the process of waste management

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Chakata helps prevent plastic waste from accumulating and contaminating fresh water sources reducing the risk of contamination. At the same time our efforts in removing plastic waste from reduces the number of clogged drainage systems that lead to unsanitary conditions.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

1. We create employment opportunities from the collection, sorting and upcycling stages of work 2. We want to formalize the waste collection sector offering formal employment opportunities with regular wages, benefits and improved working conditions 3. We seek to foster entrepreneurship by empowering waste pickers to become entrepreneurs by providing them with training and resources to start their own businesses

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

1. We aim to develop low-cost and low-maintainance sorting systems that can function effectively in rural and under resourced areas 2. We aim to integrate digital tools for waste collection route optimization, data collection on waste generation patterns and connecting waste pickers with our recycling facilities 3. : Chakata's operations drive the need for improved waste collection infrastructure, through designated collection bins, waste transfer stations, and composting facilities.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

1. Chakata is not only about upcycling, prevention has always been better than cure, we aim to encourage the use of sustainable packaging materials, develop refil and reuse programmes, implement take back schemes where used products can be returned, design products for recyclability and biodegradability and lastly minimize the use of harmful chemicals in our plastic upcycling

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

1. Microplastic as a result of plastic breakdown harms wildlife and contaminates the soil, impacting plant growth and disrupting the food chain. Chakata's efforts can minimize plastic pollution in the environment, reducing this threat to land Plastic waste is a major threat to terrestrial ecosystems, polluting soil and waterways. By efficiently collecting plastic waste, Chakata helps prevent it from entering rivers, lakes, and ultimately, oceans, protecting aquatic life and the health of surrounding ecosystems.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

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

3

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

5

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

4

05.08 Justification

Chakata's solution is tailored to the specific Kenyan context, we offer a more effective service compared to the generic solutions offered by larger waste management companies, at the same time we aim to develop digital tools that optimize collection, tracking as well as low cost sorting, we have in place innovative solutions for upcycling the plastic waste that we collect into valuable items. Similarly, we believe that the fact that we prioritize job creation, local sourcing and community engagement we stand to attract customers who value these aspects

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Takataka solution, Vintz plastic, Mr. Green Africa, PetCo Kenya amongst others, we have a dedicated focus on creating value for community members, at the same time we recognize that a one size fits all approach will not work for us, we do not just want to recycle, we seek to end the cycle of plastic waste finding its way into our environment, we empower the community to make choices that are beneficial to them, we want to cater to a wider range of demand built on our creativity team that comes up with ideas on how to upcycle plastic into needed products. Ultimately its the fact that we are not largely profit oriented but rather people and purpose oriented that sets us apart.

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

No