Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

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 Décrivez votre startup en détail

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 Quel est le problème principal que vous essayez de résoudre ?

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 Dites-nous quels sont les principaux avantages et/ou bénéfices de l'utilisation du produit/service fourni par votre startup (au moins 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 Veuillez décrire précisément à qui s'adresse le produit/service de votre startup. Quels sont les bénéficiaires visés ?

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 Quand votre entreprise a-t-elle été créée ?

30/01/2023

01.06 Vendez-vous déjà votre produit/service ?

Oui

01.07 Combien y a-t-il de propriétaires de votre entreprise en plus de vous ?

2

01.08 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

1

01.09 Veuillez décrire le profil des autres propriétaires de votre startup (compétences, expérience, 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 Si vous avez un site web, une page sur les médias sociaux (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin...) ou une application, veuillez fournir le(s) lien(s) ici :

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087796297296

01.11 Quel est le secteur d'activité qui décrit le mieux votre entreprise ?

Matériaux (agriculture, pêche, produits chimiques, matériaux de construction, conteneurs et emballages, métaux et mines, papier et produits forestiers)

02.01.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Pas de pauvreté'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Faim Zéro'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.02.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Bonne Santé et Bien Être'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.03.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Éducation de Qualité'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Égalité entre les Sexes'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.05.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

02.06.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Eau Propre et Assainissement'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Énergie Propre et Abordable'

5

02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

02.08.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Travail Décent et Croissance Économique'

6

02.08.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Industrie, Innovation et Infrastructure'

5

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

02.10.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Réduction des Inégalités'

3

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Villes et Communautés Durables'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

02.12.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Consommation et Production Responsables'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

02.13.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Lutte contre les Changements Climatiques'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.13.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Sous-Marine'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Terrestre'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Paix, Justice et Institutions Efficaces'

4

02.16.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

02.17.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Parteneriats pour la Réalisation des Objectifs'

6

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Un grand nombre de clients utilisent déjà un produit/service très similaire au nôtre.

7 = Tout à fait d'accord

06.02 Notre produit/service représente un type de produit/service entièrement nouveau

3

06.03 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une nouvelle technologie

3

06.04 Notre produit/service est une amélioration d'un produit ou d'un service existant

4

06.05 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une extension d'une gamme de produits ou de services

4

06.06 Notre produit/service répond à une demande ou à un besoin qui n'a pas été satisfait par d'autres produits/services.

6

06.07 Notre produit/service est une nouvelle version d'un ancien produit/service

4

06.08 Justification

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 Analyse compétitive

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

11.05 Menez-vous des actions au sein de votre communauté pour promouvoir le rôle des femmes entrepreneurs ?

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