Mariners For Action - Kenya

Mariners For Action is a new community organization in Kenya working to manage plastic waste on nesting beaches through cleanups and recycling efforts. So far, they have collected more than 2 tons of litter, planted 6,000 mangrove seedlings, and are educating fishermen and local children about these animals and how to help them.

This grant will provide an alternative source of income for local community members including women’s groups and fishermen who traditionally captured sea turtles for sale, particularly in the Marereni and Mtwapa Beach areas. The project will involve selling crushed plastics, which command a higher market price, as well as repurposed plastic products such as doormats, sandals, sacks, potting bags, bracelets, and curtains. These items will be sold by the women from Matsangoni, Juhudi, and Upendo widows groups to both tourists and locals in Watamu. The crushed plastics will be sold to companies in Mombasa, including Plus-tec company, which uses plastics to produce fuel. Remaining sorted plastics will be sold to Eco-world Recycling firm in Watamu, a partner in our plastic aggregation efforts. The revenue generated will be primarily used to support the women involved, with five percent allocated to savings to sustain the project and support mangrove reforestation initiatives.