From Niels Bartels, ANA Travel Editor in Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya is mainly known for its scenic landscapes, vast wildlife and rich cultural heritage. It’s also a popular destination for safaris. However, the country has much more to offer, especially in terms of business.
ANA travel editor Niels Bartels attended the travel expo “Magical Kenya 2024“ in Nairobi. Before the travel expo started, he went to Lamu Island which is famous for its wonderful beaches and Lamu Old Town which is known to be one of the longest established and best-preserved traditional Swahili settlements.
One of the most inspiring moments of the trip to Kenya was definitely the meeting with Dipesh Pabari and Ali Skanda. They are the Co-Founders of the Flipflopi project in Lamu. They managed to turn a problem into a solution. We explain what the project is about and how it was launched.
Kenya’s inspiring Flipflopi project is an effort to reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainability.
The initiative is renowned for using only recycled plastic to construct classic sailing dhows. About 10 tonnes of plastic garbage, including about 30,000 flip-flops, were used to build the first dhow, called Flipflopi.
The project promotes the ideas of a circular economy and increases awareness of the effects of plastic pollution on our waters by sailing these recycled plastic dhows. Local Kenyan communities are involved in the initiative, especially those in Lamu, where the dhows are constructed. This not only creates jobs but also teaches the local population the value of sustainability and recycling.
Many people have been motivated to take action against plastic pollution by the Flipflopi dhow, which has achieved recognition on a global scale. The project has collaborated with a number of organizations to promote sustainable practices across the globe. Additionally, it emphasizes educational outreach, collaborating with communities and schools to inform the next generation of the value of minimizing plastic waste and safeguarding the environment.
The first step in the procedure is gathering trash plastic from towns, beaches, and other locations. This covers flip-flops, bottles, containers, and bags made of plastic. After being collected, the plastic garbage is processed and cleaned to make sure there are no impurities present.
For the finished product to be durable and of high quality, this stage is essential. After sorting, the plastic is torn into tiny flakes. These flakes are melted and then formed into different dhow components. The hull, deck, and other components of the dhow are made of the melted plastic. For instance, the first Flipflopi dhow recycled over 30,000 flip-flops—along with about 10 tonnes of other plastic waste—to create panels for the hull and deck. The dhow is then constructed by assembling the plastic parts. The dhow’s seaworthiness and durability are guaranteed by the integration of contemporary recycling processes with traditional boat-building techniques. The dhow is finally painted and fitted with sails, among other finishing touches. The Flipflopi dhow’s vivid colors are a reflection of the lively repurposed materials that are utilized. This creative method increases awareness of the value of sustainability and recycling while also assisting in the reduction of plastic waste.
The Flipflopi project is a fantastic illustration of how cutting-edge environmental techniques and traditional craftsmanship can be combined to create something genuinely remarkable and influential.