Our Projects
Device
River Plastic Waste Capture Device
80% of the marine plastic pollution are contributed by Rivers.
Rivers are the main arteries that carry plastic wastes from land sources to the Marine
environment. In Kenya, more than 157,000 metric tons of plastic wastes that flows into
Indian Ocean are carried by River Athi and its 4 tributaries that flow through densely
populated informal settlements in major towns such as Nairobi, Machakos, Thika, Mombasa
and Malindi.
Our mission is to design and install plastic interceptors in 100 African rivers over the next 5 years.
To sustainably solve the marine plastic pollution menace, we need to not only get rid of the
existing plastic wastes in the marine environment but also stop new plastic wastes from
getting into the marine ecosystem. Together with government bodies, and other partners,
we aim to tackle the plastic pollution in 100 African rivers by designing and installing plastic
wastes interceptors. Leveraging on the 5 years` experience, we have the capacity and
technical infrastructure to design and manufacture different types and sizes of plastic
wastes interceptors that are tailored to the unique hydrological characteristics of many
African rivers.
Through plastic waste resource recovery; we have created
employment opportunities to 50,000 women and youths in the
informal settlements in Kenya.
In addition to installing the plastic waste interceptors; we have a holistic community
centered approach where we have trained and empowered 50,000 women and youths to
run sustainable waste management enterprises within the community. At the moment;
trained women and youths have established strategic waste collections and segregation
centers in the informal settlements in Kenya where they collect up to 200 metric tons of
plastic wastes per week from the households and supply to our production facility. Through
this they earn stable income that help them support their families.
Packaging
Biopactic Material Film
Through our innovative patented advanced bio-conversion technology; Chemolex Company
currently utilizes invasive water hyacinth plants from Lake Victoria to produce sustainable,
reusable and 100% biodegradable Biopactic material alternative film; that is a direct and
superior replacement to the conventional single-use plastic polymers film in food and product
packaging as well as in diaper and sanitary products production.
The Biopactic material alternative is a revolutionary product that can significantly reduce the
carbon footprint and eliminate the adverse health and environmental impacts of single-use
plastic polymers wastes from food and product packaging as well as diapers and sanitary
towel industries.
Through continuous research and process development; Chemolex Company have developed
and patented an innovative and commercially viable precision bio-conversion technology that
can utilize the invasive water hyacinth that is currently a menace on Lake Victoria and many
fresh water bodies in developing countries; to superior quality Biopactic material.
The organization currently produces 1 ton of the Biopactic material per month that is supplied to
food and product packaging companies in Kenya to replace single-use plastic films in
packaging.
Chemolex organization have also utilized the roots of the invasive water hyacinth that are
regarded as wastes to produce Biogas energy that is currently supplied to 150 women along
the Lake region for purposes of operating hotel businesses and frying fish before vending.
This has reduced the use of expensive, inefficient and carbon-emitting energy sources such as
firewood, charcoal and cow-dung.
The ultimate aim of the Biopactic material is to provide a superior replacement to plastic
polymers (polypropylene, polyethylene) in critical industries such as packaging and product
manufacturing while also addressing the global threat of the invasive water-hyacinth plants in
more than 1000 fresh-water ecosystems worldwide.
Gardens
Rehabilitation of Illegal Dumpsites
Along with rapid population growth and urbanization, poor solid waste is emerging as public health risk in Kenya. According to the 2020 report by Urban Africa Risk Knowledge, up to 80% of plastic plus other waste that is generated by households in urban slum areas in Kenya is disposed poorly in rivers and illegal dumpsites. In Nairobi for instance, up to 2500 tons of waste (50%) generated daily remains uncollected which translates into widespread unsafe disposal in urban river systems.
The disposal of this waste in rivers and river banks has been linked to a wide range of risks including slowing down economic growth, higher incidences of diseases, environmental degradation, and deterioration of the quality of life. The poor disposal of waste in rivers has also resulted into vast amount of ‘plastic soups’ in the Marine environment since rivers are currently the major pathway for the flow of plastic wastes into marine environment.
Chemolex therefore provides holistic solution to the urban river pollution. In addition to the plastic capture system installations, we partner with community youth and women groups in the informal urban settlement to repurpose and rehabilitate river banks and illegal dumpsites into green spaces and community kids` playing ground. We have so far rehabilitated 15 illegal dumpsites that previously acted as habitat for criminals in the informal settlement and provided safe spaces and playing ground to 500 kids in the riparian informal settlements in Nairobi. As an organization, our plan is to rehabilitate 1000 illegal dumpsites along River Athi which will in turn provide employment opportunities to 150000 youths while also eliminating plastic river pollution.
Recycling
Recycling and Repurposing
We have established an elaborate recycling infrastructure that currently turns plastic wastes trapped and removed from the various river sections into viable products with demand in the construction industry. We have so far turned 10,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste into fencing poles, paver blocks and lumbers for furniture.
Gardens
Empowering Women and Youth Groups within the Riparian Urban Househoulds.
Chemolex organization have trianed and empowered 250 women and youths groups to engage in sustainable waste management activities. The program aim to ensure integrated solid wastes management within the riparian informal settlments while also providing income generating opportunities to millions of jobless youths in these informal settlements. Some of the activities involve utilization of organic wastes to establish sustainable hydroponic urban agriculture in the community gardens established in the rehabilitated dumpsites.
Chemolex organization has also built two Community Cooker that utilizes the non-plastic segments of the wastes derived from the rivers to produce clean and affordable energy. These cookers are currently used by women in the informal areas for commercial baking and also preparing meals for kids in the nearby schools.
Our Numbers
Women and Youths EMPLOYED
Kgs
Plastic waste recycled
Plastic Waste removed
"Our objective is to utilize scientific findings to address the most urgent environmental challenges on the planet, starting from the grassroots level of our communities."
– Clifford Okoth –
Team lead/ Director
Chemolex
Get in Touch with Us
Address
Matigari Hse, Ruaraka,
Outer Ring Road Nairrobi.
info@chemolex.co.ke
admin@chemolex.co.ke
Phone No
+2547 1600 9679
+2547 1031 3165
Business Hours
Weekdays :
8AM to 5PM
Weekends: OFF