Kenyan social enterprise T3 (Trash Thread Textile) has partnered with private and public entities to launch the Beyond Baling Innovation Challenge, aiming to establish a locally manufactured plastic waste baling industry. The initiative, announced on March 5, 2019, seeks to address the logistical challenges of transporting bulky PET plastic waste by encouraging innovation in baling technology.
The competition, open to universities, SMEs, and informal sector innovators, will award three prizes for manual, renewable energy-powered, and grid-powered baling machines. T3 CEO Gupreet Kenth emphasized the need to reduce reliance on imported equipment, stating, "Instead of importing balers, we wish to tap into our abundant local resources to innovate local balers and encourage baler manufacturing in Kenya."
Supported by Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), PETCO Kenya, and the Kenyan government, the challenge aligns with broader efforts to transform plastic waste into textile materials. T3 aims to recycle 25 tons of plastic annually through its textile production pipeline. Environment CS Mohamed Elmi confirmed government backing, while CCBA MD Daryl Wilson highlighted the initiative's potential to create a self-sustaining local industry.
UNEP's Dr. Cyrille-Lazare Siewe praised the project's dual focus on environmental sustainability and job creation. The competition will run through May 2019, with winners selected based on technical feasibility and scalability.
