Gjenge Makers
Gjenge Makers
Circular Economy
Kenya
Turning plastic waste into affordable bricks and pavers that are 7x stronger and 50% lighter than concrete.
The Challenge
Plastic pollution and housing crisis
Gjenge Makers is addressing a dual concern: the problem of plastic pollution and the Kenyan housing crisis. Each day, Nairobi alone generates 500 tons of plastic waste. Meanwhile, over 2 million households in Kenya lack access to adequate housing. One key driver of this is expensive building materials.
The Innovation
Plastic Waste as Building Material
Gjenge Makers transforms plastic waste into durable and eco-friendly paving tiles and drywall bricks. To do so, they shred plastic waste, combine it with sand, and press it into blocks. Compared to concrete blocks, Gjenge’s products are up to 7 times stronger, significantly lighter and cheaper.
What Makes It Stand Out
Why Gjenge Makers?
Gjenge Makers is an example of the resilience and resourcefulness of many African founders. When Nzambi Matee started out, she had no money to buy machines. So she went to a scrapyard and found a old Chinese excavator. The hydraulic arm was still functioning, so she used it to build her first hydraulic press.
Impact
Where the change happens
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Economics
Stable earnings in production for women and youth groups
Increased income for garbage collectors
Stronger construction industry due to more affordable materials
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Climate
Contributing to circular economy
Less CO2 emission during transportation
PEOPLE
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