Turning Waste into Wealth: How a Kenyan Company is Revolutionizing Cold Storage and Fighting Pollution
Plastic pollution and food insecurity increasingly burden our world. A Kenyan company is proving that innovation can turn waste into wealth. Kuza Freezer, a youth-led enterprise based in Mombasa, Kenya, is making waves. They transform plastic waste into cold storage units. These units help small-scale businesses thrive.
The journey begins on the beaches of Mombasa. A group of dedicated women collect plastic waste there. Without their efforts, the waste would otherwise pollute the environment. This waste is then sold to Kuza Freezer, where it undergoes a remarkable transformation. The plastic is broken down into pellets and molded into the external bodies of cold storage units. These units have batteries that can be charged using solar panels. This offers an eco-friendly and sustainable solution to the pressing problem of food storage.
A two-hour solar charge powers these freezers for up to seven hours. This makes them an invaluable tool for small-scale businesses in the fish value chain. From fish traders to poultry vendors, these freezers are helping to reduce post-harvest losses and improve income for countless entrepreneurs.
Kuza Freezer is led by CEO Purity Gakuo. The company has delivered more than 350 machines to various customers over the past three years. The company offers a range of products. Some are static freezers designed for fishing boats. Others can be installed on premises. One of their most innovative products is a freezer that can be mounted on the back of a motorbike. It has a 70-liter capacity. This design is perfect for the smooth and efficient delivery of fresh fish.
Kuza Freezer goes the extra mile. They offer free installation and training to their customers along with selling these units. Each freezer has a tracking device. This device allows the company to oversee the units. They can give prompt repairs if needed. At a cost of Ksh 100,000 (approximately $700), these freezers are a significant investment. Still, many customers find it to be money well spent. The company also offers flexible payment options, allowing customers to pay in installments.
Abdalla Ali, a fisherman in Mombasa, highlights the challenges of storing fish in a hot climate. Without adequate storage, fish can spoil quickly, leading to significant losses. The introduction of Kuza Freezer’s units helps mitigate these challenges. Fishermen can store their catch safely. They can also deliver it fresh to consumers.
Nickson Otieno, CEO of the Nairobi-based sustainability consulting firm Nikogreen, emphasizes the broader implications of Kuza Freezer’s work. “Food losses occur because we produce perishable goods, but lack the infrastructure to deliver them fresh to consumers,” says Otieno. By providing reliable cold storage, Kuza Freezer helps to reduce these losses, contributing to greater food security in the region.
Moreover, by using recycled plastic to create the freezers, Kuza Freezer is actively reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste. This dual approach—addressing both food security and environmental sustainability—makes Kuza Freezer a model for innovative, locally-driven solutions to global challenges.
Kuza Freezer is more than just a company. It’s a beacon of hope in the fight against pollution and hunger in Kenya. This youth-led enterprise is turning plastic waste into valuable cold storage units. It empowers small-scale businesses. It reduces food losses and makes a positive impact on the environment. The world is facing pollution and food insecurity challenges. In response, Kuza Freezer’s innovative approach shows how waste can become wealth.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/hswN8rT-9_k?si=s2c95sWcfGtKzvID
- https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/23/a-kenyan-start-up-turns-plastic-waste-into-solar-powered-freezers/
- https://kigalijournal.com/kenyan-startup-transforms-plastic-waste-into-solar-powered-freezers/
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://readloud.net/