Dear Plastic Revolutionary,

2023 has been a fantastic year for The Flipflopi, and we couldn’t have done it without all of our partners, supporters and family. 

Flipflopi’s 'full-systems' approach addresses behavioural change on a systemic level through education, economic incentives, skills training, locally-relevant innovation, and advocacy to influence policy change. Unlike standard waste management programs that focus only on collection or recycling, we are tackling issues across the entire value chain, from preventing plastic waste leakage to creating localised circular industry processes while spearheading a campaign to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastics across the East African Community.

Here are our 10 top highlights from 2023:

#10. Two new cohorts of students graduated from the Heritage Boatbuilding Vocational Training Centre

• Thanks to the Portuguese Embassy for the grant that enabled 10 more students to undertake the full 3-month certified course and a further 10 students through the Kenya Red Cross that completed our two-week short course.

#9.  Co-authored our first illustrated children's book “Flipflopi: How a Boat Made from Flip-Flops Is Helping to Save the Ocean”

• The book nominated for a Cybil’s award can be ordered at all major bookstores and is available on Amazon.

#8.  Flipflopi selected for The Earthshot Prize 2024 nominations

• The nomination and application process was extensive, and we are grateful for this opportunity to showcase the work we're doing to help beat plastic pollution. Crossing fingers! 

#7.  Presented King Charles with a 100% recycled plastic throne

• Flipflopi was one of a handful selected to meet King Charles during his tour to Mombasa, Kenya and we presented him with the first-ever traditional Swahili throne made entirely from recycled plastic, constructed in our workshop in Lamu.

#6.  Flipflopi Ndogo undergoes extensive refurbishment and a beautiful make-over

• Now we have a much better understanding of how to create high-quality, high-strength plastic lumber, we have been rebuilding Ndogo so she will be fit for sailing later this year.

#5.  Entered a partnership with shipping company, CMA CGM to explore mangrove restoration and household waste management in the historical village of Siyu on Pate Island

• Flipflopi entered into a partnership with global transport and logistics company CMA CGM who operate in 160 countries and has a fleet of 593 vessels. Together, we launched a pilot programme in Siyu, Pate Island combining waste pollution reduction with carbon sequestration through mangrove forest restoration, removing 9 tonnes of marine litter from the mangroves, planting 2,500+ mangrove seedlings and collecting 1.5 tonnes of household waste in the first four months. 

#4.  Recovered 145,000 kg of plastics through our community-based model 

• Our collection model ensures maximum economic impact for lower income communities with over Ksh 2 million paid directly to 350+ individuals and small groups (over 60% being women).

• From this, we have converted 22,000+ kgs of post-consumer plastics into high-quality plastic lumber and transported  36,000+ kgs of shredded PET bottles off Lamu Island for recycling.

#3.  Gained unanimous support from parliamentarians from all 7 EAC countries to back our Bill to eliminate unnecessary SUPs

Thanks to UNCTAD, ALN, and the ICCF Group, we were able to convene a series of workshops this year with 21 parliamentarians representing each of the 7 EAC member states to explore regional solutions and share best practices in the region. Watch our highlights video here.

#2.  Pioneered the innovation of >40 product lines including artisanal furniture and boats 

Our products are rooted in indigenous Swahili heritage, including sailing dhows and artisanal furniture, preserving ancient craftsmanship while reducing the plastic building up in our environment. In 2023, we delivered 133 unique items across Kenya, validating the promising potential for a market.

#1. Closing the loop on recyclable plastics on islands: 

2023 marked the mid-way point of the SMEP program in Lamu made possible by the UK Government. With the creation of the material recovery and recycling centre as well as the vocational training centre, Flipflopi HQ in Lamu is rapidly establishing itself as a centre of excellence - of research, training and innovation – in heritage boatbuilding and products rooted in indigenous heritage that is laying the foundation for a sustainable and replicable model for geographically isolated communities that have little to no waste management infrastructure and ensuring as much local value addition to support the local economy.

Just like our world’s first recycled plastic sailing dhow, many said it would be impossible but as Ali Skanda always says, “kila kitu inawezekana” - Everything is possible!

Onwards with the plastic revolution…

The Flipflopi Team ⛵