Kenyan Innovator Turns Invasive Water Hyacinth Into Biodegradable Packaging Solution

Kenyan Innovator Turns Invasive Water Hyacinth Into Biodegradable Packaging Solution

Lake Naivasha, located a few hours northwest of Nairobi, Kenya, is a popular destination renowned for its flamingos and hippos. However, the lake’s ecosystem is facing a growing threat from invasive water hyacinths, which are disrupting the livelihoods of local fishermen.

The fast-growing plant has created dense mats on the water’s surface, clogging boat engines and entangling fishing nets. Additionally, the increased coverage reduces oxygen levels in the water, which in turn leads to a decline in fish populations.

Simon Macharia, a local fisherman, lamented the impact of the invasion on his catch. “We used to catch up to 90 kilograms of fish a day, but now we’re lucky if we get 10 to 15 kilograms,” he said. The loss of breeding zones due to the water hyacinth has severely affected local fisheries.

However, a young Kenyan entrepreneur, Joseph Nguthiru, has found an innovative solution to both the water hyacinth problem and the growing plastic waste issue. Nguthiru, whose company HyaPak began as a university project, has developed a way to transform the invasive plant into biodegradable packaging.

“We’re tackling two problems at once,” Nguthiru explained. “We use the water hyacinth to create eco-friendly alternatives to plastic waste, which is a major environmental issue.”

HyaPak works with local fishermen, who harvest the water hyacinth, a process that provides them with additional income while also helping clean up the lake. The plant is dried on-site and then taken to HyaPak’s facilities where it is combined with binders and additives to create biodegradable packaging.

Nguthiru sees potential in applying the water hyacinth-derived packaging in industries that rely heavily on plastic, such as agriculture. The company has developed biodegradable bags that, when used to package seedlings, release nutrients into the soil, promoting plant growth and reducing the need for excessive water irrigation.

HyaPak has already begun exporting its biodegradable products to the United States and Germany, with plans to expand into markets in India and El Salvador, both of which are also dealing with invasive water hyacinth infestations.

Through his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to sustainability, Nguthiru is not only addressing local environmental challenges but also helping to combat the global plastic pollution crisis.

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