Circular awards ceremony

Nairobi, Kenya - November 14, 2024: The 9th Circular Economy Conference, held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa Learning and Resource Center, marked a significant milestone with the inaugural Circular Economy Awards. This event, organized by Sustainable Inclusive Business Kenya under the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) in partnership with Rondure Advisory, celebrated the pioneers driving the transition to a circular economy in Kenya.
The awards attracted over 200 applicants, with 23 finalists selected across various categories. These categories included Circular Economy Campaign/Community Action of the Year, Most Innovative Project of the Year, Best EPR Scheme of the Year, SME of the Year (Food, Agriculture, Textiles), Technology Disruptor of the Year, Financier of the Year, Leader of the Year, and Young Champion of the Year.
Award Winners:
Circular Economy Campaign/Community Action of the Year:
Winner: Nyayo Estate Residents Association (NERA) for their waste segregation initiative, diverting over 75,000 kg of plastic and 42,000 kg of e-waste from landfills.
1st Runner Up: Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) Waste to Work Project, empowering 1,031 waste pickers.
2nd Runner Up: Toto Mazingira, a youth-driven environmental group in Taita Taveta.
Most Innovative Project of the Year:
Winner: Together for Better Foundation for their reusable sanitary pads.
1st Runner Up: The Flip Flopi Project, known for their recycled plastic sailing dhow.
2nd Runner Up: Insectipro, an insect farm promoting food security.
Best EPR Scheme of the Year:
Winner: PAKPRO & KEPRO for their leadership in sustainable waste management.
SME of the Year (Food, Agriculture, Textiles):
Winner: Trash Thread Textile (T3) for their bottle-to-bottle recycling plant.
1st Runner Up: Loop Pet Food for their sustainable pet food products.
2nd Runner Up: Green Thing Kenya for their eco-friendly products and workshops.
Technology Disruptor of the Year:
Winner: Safaricom for their green waste management initiatives.
1st Runner Up: M-Taka for their waste management platform.
2nd Runner Up: Baus Taka Enterprise for their innovative mobile app.
Financier of the Year:
Winner: Kenya Climate Change Innovation Centre (KCIC) for supporting circular businesses.
1st Runner Up: I & M Bank Limited for backing sustainable business models.
2nd Runner Up: Deepening - FSD Kenya for promoting green finance.
Young Champion of the Year:
Winner: Gisore Nyabuti for empowering waste pickers and promoting sustainable construction materials.
1st Runner Up: Shanariha Evans, a 12-year-old environmental activist.
2nd Runner Up: Kelvin Muchiri for his innovative waste management solutions using Black Soldier Fly (BSF).
Leader of the Year:
Winner: Dr. Ayub Macharia, Director of Enforcement at NEMA, for his role in shaping Kenya's waste management policies.
1st Runner Up: Mary-Ann Musangi for her leadership in sustainable manufacturing.
2nd Runner Up: Akshay Shah for his contributions to recyclable packaging and producer responsibility.
The event highlighted the remarkable efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to fostering a sustainable future through innovative circular economy practices. Their achievements set a high standard for others to follow, showcasing the potential for impactful environmental stewardship in Kenya.