Circular Sustainable Diapering

Diapers/nappies is an essential commodity. The existing model for disposable nappies/diapers is linear taking non-renewable resources; making disposable nappies; and creating unmanageable waste for cities and government municipalities and the environment. ~ 95% of families in developed countries choose disposables nappies – which are made up of single use plastic nappies. To meet the global consumption of diapers. Not only does the global disposable nappy industry extract over 248 million barrels of crude oil annually, but it creates over 38 million tons of solid waste per year. In fact, around the world, disposable diapers represent about 4% of all solid waste and are the 1/3 largest contributor to single-use consumer items in landfills.

Ubuni a social enterprise is developing patented technology to process natural fiber from what is considered as agricultural waste into a highly absorbent diaper material. Our 100% biodegradable and compostable diapers are made from agricultural waste which include pineapple, maize husk, bamboo fiber, banana fiber which are of the most absorbent natural fibers and abundant in Kenya. This is through a market based circular business innovation and environmental impact at scale to catalyze consumer behavior. Finally When diapers are composted they create a nutrient rich material that is added to soil to improve its quality. Compost containing certified compostable nappies is considered Soil Organic Matter (SOM).SOM is proven to improve water-holding capacity and aeration, enhances the absorption and release of nutrients, and makes soil less susceptible to leaching and erosion.

Providing a product for impact which is biodegradable and compostable diapers that also saves the environment. Goal is reducing single-use plastics and waste through promoting consumer and stakeholder behavior change and save the environment

A diaper is a type of underwear that allows the wearer to defecate or urinate without the use of a toilet, by absorbing or containing waste products to prevent soiling of outer clothing or the external environment. Diapers are primarily worn by infants, toddlers, and by children who are not yet potty trained or who experience bedwetting. They are also used by adults with incontinence or in certain circumstances where access to a toilet is unavailable. These can include those of advanced age, patients’ bed-bound in a hospital, individuals with certain types of physical or mental disability. 

Co-Founder Cherlene Maria – Marketing , worked with Unilever East Africa on an initiative called Heroes for change in encouraging brand positive awareness towards the 2 years. Co-Founder Martin Kiyeng Founder worked with international NGO for 5 years and experience in running a social enterprise for 5 years in childcare and scaling the same. The team is a group synergy of experienced innovators with the relevant expertise and capabilities to achieve success. We have clear responsibilities, and time commitments needed to be successful. We are able to demonstrate strong knowledge of the problems we are addressing and what approaches are likely to work in the local environment surrounding our innovation (e.g. operational, geographical, political, or social context).We have the ability to identify and respond to risks and changes that are likely to arise as growth is achieved. Furthermore in engaging effectively with partners in government, private sector, and/or community leaders as needed

Currently, we are bootstrapping and utilizing our own limited resources to meet our milestones which is really challenging and tend to be constrained at some point.

1. Done testing on extracting of the natural fibre from a wide range of plant waste material this include pineapple leaf, bamboo stem, banana pseudo stem which are of the most absorbent 

2. Product development in turning the natural fibre into diaper absorbent material

3. Currently working with gov't regulators to allow testing with human e.g the KIRDI ( Kenya Institute of Research and Development) whom we are working with closely and also we are hosted by Kenya Climate Innovation Centre.

4. Finalising on getting Patent utility we have already presented the request

5. We have received both local and international recognition of our idea e.g we were winners of Kenya Climate Innovation Hub 2023, Finalist of Just Imagine if UK 2024 Finalist, Falling Walls Lab finalist of 2023.

We are shifting existing model for disposable nappies that is linear taking non-renewable resource making disposable nappies. On the other side we are reducing single-use plastics and waste through promoting consumer and stakeholder behavior change and save the environment.

 This complex cultural change requires support from diverse and powerful networks of aligned stakeholders. This is one step in

• Increasing the organization’s positive impact and growth to new markets;
• Exposure and more publicity and launch in new countries
• Establishing Ubuni Green as a leader in diaper sustainability

First to connect with Solve and Solve network mentors to learn from the experiences of the people who have been where we are now. Support around business plan and model improvements, funding and revenue model, customer acquisition tactics, and best practices for business-to-business and Business to customer  marketplace.

Second, looking to share MIT Solve powerful network This would include forging new relationships (while strengthening existing ones) with those in the supply chain, circular economy,  technology, and sustainability industries.  

Third, opportunity to have trusted and experienced advisors who will offer constructive insights and resources to assist in scaling the company.  We would work with Solve on the next stage of growth for Ubuni Green, specifically examining financing .

Our innovation transform agricultural waste into high-value natural fiber bio- textile diaper absorbent - biodegradable & compostable. Value add realizes human dignity by enhancing return on small holder farmers' labor and investment to improve quality of life and liberation from underdevelopment caused by poverty.

In this approach we empower the rural farmers especially women. Historically don't own the land but are the majority involved in the farming activity despite spending much of their time in farming. On the other side the sale of agricultural waste harvest is a added income for them.

We are developing a completely compostable and biodegradable diapers and have a low waste manufacturing unit. We use materials that are certified compostable and eliminate waste.

Ubuni has been working to address three major issues with specific Unique value preposition: 

1)The existing model for disposable nappies is linear taking non-renewable resources; making disposable nappies; and creating unmanageable waste for governments and the environment.

 2) Chemical filled diapers that cause rashes and irritation

 3) Plastic waste produced by commercial diapers

We have a unique product and a unique approach. By addressing the plastic waste issue at the source in the manufacturing unit, we are preventing plastic waste from ending up in the land or water bodies. At the same time, we’re able to provide a product that is softer and hygienic to the skin because it doesn’t contain any chemicals or bleach and therefore doesn’t cause any irritation or rashes

The mission is being a catalyst in reducing single-use plastics and waste through promoting consumer and stakeholder behavior change by  providing a product for impact which is biodegradable and compostable diapers that also saves the environment and save the environment 

Consumers love the convenience and the efficacy of disposable nappies, but their contribution to both climate change and the growing plastic waste crisis can no longer be overlooked. The ‘plastic’ diapers in kenya and the world at larger are becoming cheaper from the supply side but no attention from manufacturing product and less attention paid to where the diapers end up. They have information about usage and no information on disposal.

Health and sustainability are intertwined and developing a holistic business model to address both is necessary to have a sustainable business in the future.

1.We are addressing the lack of access to environmentally friendly diapers and meet children sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant or child clean, dry, and healthy.

2. We are provide diapers in a sustainable way because of the current conventional improper waste infrastructure to handle single use plastic waste diaper so that is why we developed a compostable alternative.

We not only offer diapers to families who don’t have access but also empower women in our local community (Farmers sale agricultural waste and employees in the factory who are not just employees but ambasadors

Goal is reducing single-use plastics and waste through promoting consumer and stakeholder behavior change and save the environment.This is through a market based circular business innovation and environmental impact at scale to catalyze consumer behavior

We measure our impact according to the UN SDGs:

Increasing income for farmers, employing women, providing access to diapers and diaper hygiene education, measuring the plastic waste and CO2 emissions.

Overall, regenerative textiles represent a new and innovative approach to textile production that prioritizes sustainability, social responsibility, and environmental health. By choosing regenerative textiles, consumers  support a more sustainable and equitable textile industry that benefits both people and the planet.

Regenerative plant-based solutions that can reduce the effects of climate change, biodegradable and compostable diapers

2 Permanent

6 Contracted 

My Solution came from a personal story. My story started from my nephew who was born with cerebral palsy.8 years ago.Diaper one of the important tool for her was too expensive infact he could spend 5x -10x more than an average child. On the other side is the consequence of the disposal of the diaper. My question was could we get an environmentally friendly diaper and the same retail price point that is accessible , good for human and also the environment?.

We started the solution in 2022 November after the frustration.

Out of the 8 employees. I am the only male in the team. Also there is diversity of age with the young people being the majority.

As we grow from scale out to scale up we hope to include more diversity in the team. Remember also the diversity of the product to our client it started from my nephew who had a disability.

We are utilizing Cradle to Cradle model business model where we collect natural feedstock from plant waste from famers. We are using a cross subsidization pay model where urban family purchase at a premium rate which is the rural purchase at a lower because of the low purchasing power and inadequate to low accessibility , we not only offer diapers to families who don’t have access but also empower women in our local community ( Farmers sale agricultural waste and employees in the factory), but also promote a sustainability. This is through Selling the diapers through direct to customer through the website or store.

Our future is by working with NGO’s that are keen on environment in using sustainable diapers in their programing and emergency . Also on the other hand working with corporation selling their carbon credit from the impact they create from their community for e.g through diapers children.

On the other side through licencining our technology we aim at working with brand partners keen to lower product costs and decouple the impacts of environment from consumption - we are dedicated to co-branding and distributing.Connection to partners like: Ellen MacArthur Foundation,UN, World Bank, WWF- Kenya, international development experts and academics interested in promoting Ubuni distribution system and rethinking circular design in nappies/diapers so we ensure access and also saving the environment.

The performance measures we would you use to assess impact of our solution is:

1. Lowering environmental impact of diapering

2. Increase social mobility on diapering days specifically to childcare

3. Positive health outcome e.g Irritation and comfortable to the child

4. Improved diapering hygiene practices