Imagine turning a problem into an opportunity – that’s exactly what Nzambi Matee, a Kenyan engineer, did.
Her startup, Gjenge Makers, based in Nairobi, is not just any business.
It’s a revolutionary idea that transforms plastic waste into bricks that are incredibly five to seven times stronger than concrete.
This isn’t just recycling; it’s a game-changer in the world of sustainable building materials.
Nzambi Matee isn’t just the founder; she’s the brain behind the machines that create these eco-friendly bricks.
She collects low and high-density polyethylene and polypropylene from local packaging plants, materials that are often seen as unrecyclable.
By doing so, she’s not only creating durable building materials but also preventing tons of plastic waste from filling up landfills across Kenya.
Her vision doesn’t stop here; she’s aiming to expand her business with a larger manufacturing line.
Matee’s journey began with a realization.
She said, “I was tired of being on the sidelines,” watching civil servants grapple with the growing mountains of plastic waste in Kenya.
That’s when Gjenge Makers came to life. The company takes various plastic polymers, like those from milk and shampoo bottles, cereal and sandwich bags, and even flip-top lids and buckets, and turns them into something valuable.
“There is the waste they cannot process anymore; they cannot recycle. That is what we get,” Matee explains.
The transformation process at Gjenge Makers is fascinating.
After heating and mixing the plastic polymer with sand, they produce a range of paving stones.
These materials, available in various colors, are pressed into different thicknesses using a hydraulic machine.
What’s more, they’re affordable, selling for an average of $7.70 per square meter.
Since its inception in 2018, Gjenge Makers has grown significantly.
Employing over 110 people, the team can produce 1,500 bricks each day.
To date, they’ve recycled about 20 metric tons of plastic waste.
With plans to triple the factory’s production capacity, Matee’s vision for a bigger manufacturing line is soon to become a reality.
The story of Gjenge Makers began as a plastic collection company, with the initial plan to sort and sell plastic waste to recyclers.
However, Matee quickly realized they were collecting waste faster than it could be processed.
This led to a pivotal shift in the business model, turning the startup into a trailblazer in recycling and upcycling.
Gjenge Makers now stands on four pillars, as outlined on their website.
Their goals are ambitious yet impactful: solving waste pollution by recycling and upcycling plastic, providing alternative construction products that are not only beautiful but also strong and durable, creating job opportunities for Kenyan youth, and fostering a culture of recycling and upcycling in Kenya and Africa.
Additionally, they aim to empower the next generation of women entrepreneurs in the engineering field.
The company’s reach is extensive, handling industrial, commercial, and residential projects.
Through this diverse portfolio, Gjenge Makers is not just a business; it’s a movement, leading the way in environmental sustainability and innovation.
Nzambi Matee’s Gjenge Makers is a testament to the power of vision and innovation.
By turning plastic waste, a global challenge, into a solution for stronger and more sustainable building materials, Matee and her team are paving the way for a greener future, one brick at a time.
Learn more about the process of turning waste into a useful resource in the video below.
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