Circularity.fm

Close the Gap - Refurbishing Electronics to Close the Digital Divide

Circular Entrepreneurship in Kenya How to create a successful circular hub for electronics that holistically integrates social and commercial aspects into the model? In this episode, we speak with Timothy Washira, Operations Manager at Close the Gap's Circular Economy Hub in Mombasa, Kenya. Close the Gap first started in Belgium in 2003 with the mission to provide high-quality pre-owned computers and bridge the digital divide. The organization started its first operations in Kenya in 2019 in Nairobi, before moving the Circular Economy Hub to a bigger, state-of-the-art facility in Mombasa in 2020. The Circular Economy Hub is the logistics backbone for Close the Gap in Kenya. Its focus is on IT Asset Disposition which involves collecting used IT devices from corporate partners in Kenya, conducting data wipe processes; refurbishing or recycling the devices, and deploying the pre-owned high quality devices to impact projects. Timothy talks about how Close the Gap is driving socio-economic transformation through for example, its incubator space and the BOOST program. Listen to hear how Close the Gap integrates commercial success with social impact, creating jobs, promoting the circular economy, and empowering over 6 million people with access to technology and skills. People Timothy Wachira, Operations Manager at Close the Gap https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-wachira-80294214/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-wachira-80294214/] Ian Kiptoo, Operations Manager at Close the Gap https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-kiptoo-966868204/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-kiptoo-966868204/] Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Circular Economy and Close the Gap 01:34 The Mission of Close the Gap 06:02 E-Waste Management and Digital Divide 08:56 Boost Program and Socio-Economic Impact 12:00 IT Asset Disposition Process 18:10 Refurbishment and Grading Process 23:59 Revenue Models and Partnerships 29:50 Future Plans and Expansion 39:05 Conclusion and Call to Action About Close the Gap started in Belgium in 2003 and started its first operations in Kenya in 2019. Close the Gap operates the Circular Economy Hub in Mombasa, which serves as the organisation's logistical backbone and a blueprint for green technology in Africa. This cutting-edge facility specialises in IT Asset Disposition (ITAD), collecting used corporate IT equipment, conducting data wiping, and refurbishing devices that is then deployed to bridge the digital divide in local impact projects, such as schools and youth correctional facilities. Beyond hardware, Close the Gap Kenya drives socio-economic transformation through its BOOST+ program, which supports young entrepreneurs and women along the Kenyan coastline with training in digital skills, financial literacy, and business management, and by deploying the Impact Accelerator Fund (IAF) to provide strategic capital and mentorship to innovative startups in sectors like the circular economy and green tech, directly contributing to job creation and boosting the local economy. Further Links https://www.close-the-gap.org/ [https://www.close-the-gap.org/] One-page Summary Sign-up for the Circularity.fm Newsletter and get a summary with the take-aways of this episode. Register here: https://circularity.fm/close-the-gap-refurbishing-electronics-to-close-the-digital-divide/ [https://circularity.fm/close-the-gap-refurbishing-electronics-to-close-the-digital-divide/]

PadMad - Upcycling Textiles for Menstrual Health & Girl's Education

Circular Entrepreneurship in Kenya How can a reusable pad company address education, employment, and environmental waste simultaneously? In this episode, Madhvi Dalal, founder of PadMad, talks about why and how she built a social enterprise to tackle period poverty in Kenya, a country where 65% of women and girls cannot afford menstrual products. This crisis leads to girls missing school and exams, forces them to improvise pads with unhygienic materials, and leaves them exposed to be taken advantage of. Madhvi walks us through PadMad's three-pillar focus: education, running workshops in schools and workplaces to break stigma and provide information. Empowerment, employing marginalised women to manufacture the pads. And environment, creating reusable pads from textile waste to reduce plastic pollution. You'll also hear how this model has scaled to impact over 150,000 people and prevented millions of disposable pads from polluting Kenya's environment. People Madhvi Dalal, at PadMad https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhvi-dalal-b61a1a180/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhvi-dalal-b61a1a180/] Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:04 Period Poverty in Kenya 05:48 Start of PadMad 08:40 The Evolution of PadMAT's Approach 13:47 Impact and Reach of PadMad 17:22 Funding and Financial Model of PadMad 21:37 Partnerships and Future Aspirations About PadMad is a Kenya-based social enterprise addressing period poverty through biodegradable, reusable menstrual pads, coupled with menstrual health education and training/employment for marginalised women. The pads are designed for multi-year use to reduce waste and cost barriers, with impact tracking emphasising disposables diverted and school attendance benefits. PadMad’s approach combines product provision with train-the-trainer outreach and partnerships. Independent write-ups list PadMad among Kenya’s eco-friendly period solutions. Further Links https://padmadkenya.com/ [https://padmadkenya.com/] One-page Summary Sign-up for the Circularity.fm Newsletter and get a summary with the take-aways of this episode. Register here: https://circularity.fm/padmad-upcycling-textiles-for-menstrual-health-girls-education/ [https://circularity.fm/padmad-upcycling-textiles-for-menstrual-health-girls-education/]

Sea Ventures - Turning Fish Waste into Animal Feed

Circular Entrepreneurship in Kenya How can fish waste solve a national animal feed crisis and empower local communities? In this episode, Faith Mwende from Sea Ventures explains how her startup tackles the massive post-harvest losses in Kenya's fishing industry, where 60-70% of the catch becomes waste. You'll hear how Sea Ventures creates a circular economy model by collecting this fish waste and processing it into high-quality animal feed, directly addressing Kenya's scarcity of animal feed. Faith also talks about the company's social impact, which includes creating jobs, providing training in sustainable farming, and empowering women in both the fishing and agricultural sectors. Recorded in Mombasa, Kenya, this episode showcases a local solution that integrates environmental action with economic and community development. People Faith Mwende, at Sea Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-mwende-55a162272/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-mwende-55a162272/] Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/] Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:39 Sea Venture Addressing Post-Harvest Waste 00:07:15 Circular Economy and Animal Feed Production 00:13:08 The Processing Journey of Fish Waste 00:18:51 Social Impact and Community Engagement 00:22:43 Challenges and Future Aspirations About Sea Ventures is a blue economy startup based in Mombasa, Kenya, specialising in upcycling fish waste into high-quality, organic animal feeds and fertilisers. Through its circular economy model, the company works with local fisherfolk to collect and process fish byproducts into sustainable feeds for poultry, fish, pigs, and pets. Its mission is to reduce waste, provide affordable feed solutions, and empower coastal communities, particularly women and youth. Further Links https://vc4a.com/ [https://vc4a.com/] One-page Summary Sign-up for the Circularity.fm Newsletter and get a summary with the take-aways of this episode. Register here: https://circularity.fm/sea-ventures-turning-fish-waste-into-animal-feed/ [https://circularity.fm/sea-ventures-turning-fish-waste-into-animal-feed/]

E-Waste Initiative Kenya - Repairing and Reusing Electronics

Circular Entrepreneurship in Kenya How do you build a sustainable e-waste management system in Kenya? In this episode, Jane Muriithi and Thuo Lawrence from E-waste Initiative Kenya (EWIK) talk about their approach to e-waste management across Kenya. Jane describes EWIK's collection model through drop-off points and door-to-door pickups across multiple cities, their repair and refurbishment process, and the challenges of managing different materials when items can't be repaired. You'll also hear about EWIK's skills training programs for youth, including e-waste handling and ICT repair, with specific support for young mothers through onsite childcare, entrepreneurship courses, and mentorship. Thuo explains their research mapping Kenya's e-waste value chain through stakeholder interviews to inform Extended Producer Responsibility schemes. Listen to know how to build environmental and social impact through e-waste management, and to understand why partnerships necessary to scale e-waste recycling across East Africa. People Thuo Lawrence, E-waste Initiative Kenya (EWIK) https://www.linkedin.com/in/thuo-lawrence-7b67b926/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thuo-lawrence-7b67b926/] Jane Muriithi, E-waste Initiative Kenya (EWIK) Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/] About E-waste Initiative Kenya (EWIK) is a registered NGO, founded in 2012 and officially recognised by the NGO Coordination Board of Kenya in 2016. Headquartered in Gitithia, Kiambu, with branches in Nairobi, the organisation specialises in comprehensive electronic waste management. Its services encompass the entire e-waste lifecycle, including training, collection, processing, and safe disposal, while promoting environmental sustainability and youth empowerment through skills development. EWIK is committed to creating a circular economy by addressing electronic waste challenges in Kenya and beyond. Further Links https://ewik.org/ [https://ewik.org/] One-page Summary Sign-up for the Circularity.fm Newsletter and get a summary with the take-aways of this episode. Register here: https://circularity.fm/e-waste-initiative-kenya-repairing-and-reusing-electronics/ [https://circularity.fm/e-waste-initiative-kenya-repairing-and-reusing-electronics/]

Africa Collect Textiles and Green Forest Solutions - The need for global EPR systems

Circular Entrepreneurship in Kenya How can we transform the textile industry in Kenya to embrace a circular economy? In this episode, Alex Musembi from Africa Collect Textiles (ACT) and Sarah Njau from Green Forest Solutions discuss their collaborative efforts to streamline textile recycling and reuse in Kenya. Alex describes ACT's model of collecting post-consumer textiles through drop-off points and door-to-door pickups, sorting them for resale and upcycling, and the challenges of incentivizing proper disposal. Sarah explains the role of Green Forest Solutions in helping set up Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, which are vital for funding the infrastructure needed for effective textile waste management. They both highlight the impact of fast fashion, the need for better product design, and the importance of international partnerships to sustain these environmental initiatives. This episode sheds light on the intricate dynamics of the textile recycling market in Kenya and the global efforts required to support it. People Alex Musembi, Africa Collect Textiles, Green Forest Solutions https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-musembi-act/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-musembi-act/] Sarah Njau, Africa Collect Textiles, Green Forest Solutions https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-njau-9b89867b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-njau-9b89867b/] Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Welcome 00:00 What is ACT? 03:16 Collection & Incentives 04:47 Secondhand Textiles & Market Demands 06:30 Green Forest Solution 09:59 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Kenya 15:55 Market Structure & Cultural Aspects 19:48 Design, Recycling, and Upcycling 21:58 ACT’s Products and Local Industry Dynamics 26:09 EPR Pilot 33:34 Import/Export, Regulation, and Systemic Issues 38:23 Future Outlook & Calls to Action About ACT builds circular systems for fashion by collecting, sorting, and redistributing used clothing and footwear across Nairobi, then upcycling materials into new products. The organisation supplies sorted fiber streams (e.g., cotton, wool, acrylic) for local makers and industry, and provides secure processing for branded uniforms/workwear. Its model couples environmental aims with job creation and community engagement through drop-off points and B2B services. Media coverage places ACT within Nairobi’s growing eco-fashion ecosystem. Green Forest Solutions in Kenya provides digital tools and services for circular economy, focused on waste flow management, product traceability, and environmental compliance. Their platform connects brands, waste operators, and manufacturers to streamline reporting, lifecycle tracking, and regulatory tasks, supporting EPR and access to recycled materials across emerging markets. The company helps clients efficiently meet producer responsibility and sustainability requirements through a centralised, digital infrastructure. Further Links One-page Summary Sign-up for the Circularity.fm Newsletter and get a summary with the take-aways of this episode. Register here: https://circularity.fm/africa-collect-textiles-and-green-forest-solutions-the-need-for-global-epr-systems/ [https://circularity.fm/africa-collect-textiles-and-green-forest-solutions-the-need-for-global-epr-systems/]