In a news of hope for the environment, a start up in Nairobi, Kenya, has been turning plastic waste into alternative building materials. Founded by materials engineer and entrepreneur Nzambi Matee, Gjenge Makers makes paving bricks of variety of colors out of plastic waste.
The paving bricks are said to be incredibly strong, outperforming concrete blocks by 2 times in time of weight threshold. In the process of creating a more sustainable future for Kenya, Gjenge Makers has saved more than 20 tons of plastic waste (and counting) from filling the landfills.
In addition, it has created over 100 job opportunities for trash collectors, women and youth groups. So, what Matee and her company did is not only good for the environment, but it is also socially beneficial to the folks in Kenya.
Matee’s works have not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized by the United Nations and she was recently named a Young Champion of the Earth by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
Images: Gjenge Makers.
Source: Laughing Squid.
