Watamu Community Solid Waste Management and Recycling EnterprisesPreserving Watamu’s beaches and boosting community welfare through recycling waste
The initiative deals with solid waste pollution in Watamu Marine Park and Reserve beaches and nearby villages. By combining environmental welfare and conservation tasks with community empowerment, employment and alternative income generation, the initiative sets an example for community-based waste management. The initiative creates income opportunities for the community through employment and waste recycling. The income generated from plastic recycling operations helps the initiative to remain operational and sustainable. In addition, art and other interesting objects produced from the waste collected will be sold at tourist outlets. Plastic waste – currently harvested free of charge in the project area – can be processed and sold to recycling businesses throughout Kenya. Local firms support the initiative through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) sponsorship activities, enabling community members to turn plastic waste into a saleable commodity.
Partners
The Watamu Marine Association (WMA) manages and coordinates all project operations and provides in kind support for project activities.
The Voice of Watamu Women’s Group promotes community empowerment and will be active in arts and crafts production.
Hemingways Resort sponsors community waste collection and supports beach waste management
operations.
Ocean Sports Resort assists with beach-cleaning events, hosts fund-raising activities and sponsors community waste collection bins.
The Turtle Bay Beach Club sponsors and supports the initiative, providing facilities and links to the tourism sector.
