Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

This project utilizes pineapple waste and fruit to make eco-cleaning solutions that are non-toxic and safe for the environment. The pineapple is mixed with sugar and water and fermented for three months. Final product is then mixed with essential oils

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

This project upcycles pineapple waste into eco-friendly cleaning products. We source pineapple peels, a major byproduct, from local farmers or processing facilities. The upcycling process begins with preparing the peels through cleaning and sanitation to ensure a hygienic base. We then utilize fermentation to extract valuable enzymes and bio-active compounds with natural cleaning properties from the pineapple peels. The enzyme cleaner recipe involves: Ingredients: - 10 liters water (10 parts) - 3 Kg pineapple waste (3 parts) - 1 Kg brown sugar (1 part) Optional: Coconut oil or lemongrass oil Instructions: 1. Sanitize a 18-liter container. 2. Combine water, brown sugar, and pineapple waste. 3. Stir daily for 3 months at 25-30°C to develop enzymes. 4. Filter the enzyme solution, removing solids. 5. (Optional) Add 1-2 tbsp coconut or lemongrass oil. 6. Transfer the filtered cleaner to bottles for storage.

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

This project addresses three key challenges: Pineapple Waste Mitigation: The pineapple processing industry generates large volumes of peel waste, which is often disposed of in landfills. This can result in environmental problems such as methane gas emissions and soil contamination. Demand for Sustainable Cleaning Solutions: Many conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can contribute to environmental pollution. Consumers are becoming more conscious and are actively seeking out eco-friendly cleaning alternatives. Demand for nontoxic and safe products: There are increased cases of allergies attributed to cleaning agents as most contain quats which are toxic and cause allergies. This affects mostly children, asthmatics, and persons with skin disorders such as eczema. The lack of affordable and safe cleaning agents for fruits and foodstuffs is also a challenge.

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

The project has four major benefits: a) It reduces landfill waste. by using pineapple waste, we reduce methane emissions and soil contamination that would occur when these are dumped in landfills. b) Sustainable cleaning solutions. The cleaning product is prepared using natural enzyme extract from pineapple waste. This offers sustainable and biodegradable solutions to the harsh chemical solutions. c) Nontoxic and safe products. The cleaning products derived from this process are safe for children, persons with allergies, and those with skin conditions such as eczema. d) Increased revenue streams for farmers. This enhances their economic status and offers them a new market.

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

Environment: Upcycling pineapple waste reduces landfill methane emissions and promotes a circular economy in agriculture. Waste from this upcycling is used as animal feed. Safe and non-toxic products: Our plant-based cleaners avoid harsh chemicals like quats, potentially reducing allergies and health risks associated with traditional cleaning agents. This is beneficial for: Eco-conscious consumers seeking sustainable alternatives. People with health concerns like children, asthmatics, and those with skin conditions like eczema. Households that need safe cleaning solutions for fruits and vegetables. Economic Benefits for the Pineapple Industry: Pineapple farmers and processors gain new revenue streams by selling their waste peels to our project.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-03-01

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?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Empowering Small-Scale Pineapple Farmers: The project creates a new revenue stream for small-scale pineapple farmers by providing them with a market for their pineapple waste. This additional income can improve the livelihoods of these farmers and potentially contribute to reducing poverty within their local communities. Job Creation and Income Generation: The implementation of this project will require the employment of people for tasks such as waste collection, processing, and product development. These new job opportunities and income sources can further contribute to poverty reduction in the local community where the project is based.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Reducing Food Waste: The project addresses food waste in the agricultural system by redirecting pineapple waste away from landfills and reusing it as animal feed. This helps maximize resource utilization and reduces strain on primary food production. The animal feed made from pineapple waste has the potential to support increased livestock rearing indirectly. This may result in a higher supply of meat, milk, and eggs for human consumption, ultimately contributing to food security.

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

Our project contributes to the goal of Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) by providing a safer option to traditional cleaning products. Here's how: We create cleaning solutions using natural enzymes derived from pineapple waste, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals like quaternary ammonium compounds commonly found in regular chemical cleaners. By using our non-toxic products, consumers reduce their exposure to chemicals associated with allergies, respiratory issues, and certain chronic health conditions. This is particularly advantageous for: - Children and asthmatics who are more susceptible to respiratory problems. - Individuals with skin conditions such as eczema, who may experience irritation from the use of harsh chemicals.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

2

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

3

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

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

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Our project contributes to achieving the goal of Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) by generating employment opportunities and economic advantages: Employment Generation: The project generates new jobs at various stages of the production process, which include: Collecting waste from pineapple farms or processing facilities. Converting pineapple waste into enzymes. Creating and formulating cleaning solutions. Manufacturing, packaging, and distributing the cleaning products. Economic Benefits for the Pineapple Value Chain: By creating a market for pineapple waste, the project offers pineapple farmers and processors a new source of income. This can enhance their economic status and potentially create a more sustainable production cycle within the pineapple industry.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

The project highlights a creative method of converting discarded pineapple waste into useful enzymes for cleaning products, showcasing the potential of a circular economy in agriculture. This demonstrates the possibility of turning waste into new products. The positive outcomes of our pineapple waste project could serve as inspiration for creating similar upcycling solutions for other agricultural byproducts. This could spark a surge of innovation aimed at minimizing waste, improving our environment, enhancing resource utilization, and generating new bio-based products within the agricultural industry.

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

Circular Economy in Action: We divert pineapple waste, a byproduct typically discarded, and transform it into a valuable resource (enzymes for cleaning products). This exemplifies a circular economic approach, where waste becomes the raw material for new products, minimizing reliance on new resources and reducing overall waste generation. Reduced Landfill Strain: This project reduces the amount of organic material going to landfills. This mitigates environmental issues like methane emissions and soil contamination associated with landfilling food waste. Sustainable Cleaning Solutions: Our plant-based cleaning products made from pineapple enzymes offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional, often chemical-laden cleaners. This offers consumers sustainable options that minimize environmental impact. Our project directly tackles waste reduction, and resource efficiency, and promotes sustainable products, all of which are key principles of Responsible Consumption and Production (SD

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Our project contributes to Climate Action (SDG 13) by addressing two key areas: reduced landfill methane and potentially lower energy consumption during cleaning.  Reduced Landfill Methane Emissions: Landfilling organic waste like pineapple peels leads to methane emission, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat. By using pineapple waste from landfills and upcycling it into cleaning products, our project helps mitigate methane emissions and contributes to climate change mitigation efforts. Potentially Lower Energy Use in Cleaning Products: Manufacturing plant-based cleaning products derived from pineapple enzymes might require less energy compared to some traditional chemical cleaners. This could lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production process. 

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

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

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

3

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.

3

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

6

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

2

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

6

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.08 Justification

Our project is innovative because it represents an improvement on traditional cleaning products. While conventional options exist, they often rely on harsh chemicals. Our project upcycles pineapple waste, a byproduct typically discarded, to create enzymes for a new bio-based cleaning solution. This not only reduces waste but also fulfills a growing demand for safer and more eco-friendly cleaning options. By offering a plant-based alternative, our project caters to consumers who are concerned about the health and environmental impacts of traditional cleaning products

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

Our main potential competitors are likely to be two groups: Traditional cleaning product manufacturers Eco-friendly cleaning product manufacturers Here's what makes our project stand out: Sustainable Upcycling: We utilize pineapple waste, a byproduct typically discarded, to create cleaning enzymes. This differentiates us from both traditional manufacturers (who rely on virgin resources) and some eco-friendly brands (who might use other plant-based materials). Enzyme Power for Cleaning: By harnessing the natural cleaning properties of enzymes, our products offer potentially superior cleaning performance compared to some eco-friendly options that might rely on less powerful plant-based cleaning agents. Natural Fragrance (Optional): We can incorporate essential oils for a pleasant natural scent, appealing to consumers who prefer to avoid synthetic fragrances. However, we'll ensure clear labeling and offer unscented options for those with allergies.

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

Yes, I operate a chicken rearing business with my sister. I also offer advice and financial support whenever possible.