Twende Green Ecocycle

In Mombasa, local schools there is a problem of enough,

comfortable and expensive school desks, Students are
forced to sit in crowded desks , up to 4 students per
desk. 

This has negatively affected students' performance
especially girls who often miss school for days, during
their menstruation cycles due to the uncomfortable
nature of the desks. 

Amidst this pressing issue, an
unfortunate reality unfolds as 120 tons of plastic waste
accumulates daily in Mombasa. Merely 5% is recycled,
leaving the rest to pollute landfills or the ocean.

Turning plastic waste into valuable products such as
school desks which is affordable, comfortable, low
maintenance, durable and ecofriendly.

We are able to address two

pressing issues in the Mombasa informal settlements
at once while contributing to circularity at the same
time. Our eco-desks, is designed to improve the
learning environment and empower both girls and
boys students to excel.

I was born and raised in an informal settlement, during my primary school days, I once sat on a desk that was broken and chipped and it pains me to see the same problem is still in existence today.

My co-founders come from an informal settlement, this has enabled us to understand well the problem that is present there, the problem of marine plastic waste and insufficient school desks and we believe we are the right people to solve this problem in Mombasa.

In May 2023 we secured a grant funding of $25,000 that enabled us to kickstart our operations in Mombasa. We have been able to supply our desks to schools in Mombasa and reached over 20 schools with 130 school desks.

Twende Green Ecocycle seeks to expand its reach and impact by inviting partners and investors to join its mission. We are looking to establish partnerships with businesses interested in sustainable building solutions, such as recycled plastic doors and other customizable options. 

Financial investment to scale production capabilities, expand our product line to include items like benches, wardrobes, and decorative items, and grow our waste collection to 60.4 tons annually.

Support for our educational programs through Twende Green school clubs aimed at educating 200,000 students about plastic waste management.

We are tackling marine plastic waste by using it to create high-quality eco-desks. We begin by buying marine plastic waste from individual plastic collectors, Plastic collecting companies, and Community-based organizations, which is then sorted, cleaned, and shredded in our recycling facility. We then use the plastic flakes to manufacture the school desks which can be customized to meet the specific requirements of the schools.

We are committed to promoting sustainable education by providing affordable and eco-friendly desks, creating job opportunities, and economic growth for the local community while addressing marine plastic waste in the informal settlement. 

At Twende Green Ecocycle, we believe in creating a wave of positive change in Mombasa. We collect plastic waste and transform it into ergonomic school desks, tackling the need for affordable furniture and reducing plastic pollution simultaneously. Distributing these desks improves student comfort and focus, leading to a more enriching educational experience. We don't stop there! Our "Eco-ambassador" program in schools tackles plastic pollution by diverting waste and raising awareness. This multi-faceted approach empowers local communities through job creation and fosters a culture of responsible waste management. It's a win-win for a healthier environment and a brighter future for Mombasa's students.

One eco-desks approximately takes 13Kg of plastic waste from the environment. By scaling our operations, we estimate that we can collect 62.4 Tons of plastic waste annually. This is from our projections of making 400 desks monthly.  

One eco-desks approximately takes 13Kg of plastic waste from the environment. By scaling our operations, we estimate that we can collect 62.4 Tons of plastic waste annually. This is from our projections of making 400 desks monthly.  

Our Circular Economy Model - We have a take-back program whereby at the end of the eco-desk lifecycle, we ensure that the materials are reintroduced into the manufacturing process, contributing to a closed-loop system.   

We are leveraging the use of a plastic shredder machine, press-moulding machine, sawmilling machine and welding machine to be able to convert plastic waste into school desk.

Full-time staff - 8

Part-time staff - 7

1 year, 2 months

At Twende Green Ecocycle, building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team is a priority. We actively seek leadership reflecting the communities we serve, minimize barriers through competitive packages and flexible work arrangements, and provide unconscious bias training. To cultivate a welcoming environment, we celebrate diversity through events and ERGs, and continuously strive to improve by reviewing recruitment practices, setting DE&I goals, partnering with focused organizations, and conducting employee surveys. We believe a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation and a sustainable future.

We also prioritize women's empowerment and that's why 40% of our workers are women, this is to ensure inclusivity for economic prosperity in the region.

Our solution is targeting schools in Mombasa County, alongside the Non-governmental organizations and the Ministry of Education in Mombasa County. We are targeting ideal customers who are passionate about sustainability in reducing the environmental footprints by eradicating plastic pollution while supporting local businesses and education development in Mombasa County. 

By using recycled plastic waste to create school desks, we provide a sustainable solution to the problem of plastic waste in Mombasa while improving the educational experience of these students.

Our revenue model focuses on selling desks to a diverse range of customers, including:

    Retail: 

•B2C (Business-to-Consumer)

    Wholesale: 

•B2B (Business-to-Business)

•B2G (Business-to-Government)

By catering to multiple market segments, we can maximize our sales potential and create a sustainable revenue stream.

•Selling Eco-desks: Profit Margin = 20.86%