Frame waste to value Upcycling agricultural residues for sustainable textiles The global textile industry is massive, valued at $594.1 billion in production in 2022 alone (Euromonitor, 2023). It represents one of the most important “ladder” industries for developing countries seeking to promote industrialisation and create jobs. Yet, the industry is unsustainable, creating massive unmanaged waste
Beyond the technical loop Driving the circular bioeconomy through global policy coherence As of April 2025, 76 countries have adopted national strategies or roadmaps for the circular economy (Chatham House, 2025). These strategies reflect growing recognition of the need to address cascading environmental risks while unlocking new avenues for competitiveness, environmental protection, pollution reduction, and
The Flipflopi Toolkit Recycling solutions for remote communities There is no one-size-fits-all solution for deeply rural contexts. Adaptable solutions are required to maintain commercial viability especially when the value of recycled plastic in relation to transport costs to market is unlikely to be sufficient to keep “business as usual” operations running sustainably in remote contexts. Cognisant of these
The Flipflopi Project, based in the Lamu Archipelago, Kenya, is addressing plastic pollution and deforestation through community-led recycling, heritage preservation, and sustainable manufacturing. With SMEP support, the project established a Material Recovery and Recycling Facility (MRRF), advanced R&D into recycled plastic structural integrity, and launched a Heritage Boat Building Training Centre. A key insight for
Biochar enriched compost produced from pineapple waste The impact on soil and crop health in commercial pineapple production as part of a full waste management strategy This study investigates the effects of biochar and biochar-enriched compost on soil and crop health, focusing on soil properties and the growth of pineapple plants. Results indicate that the
Life Cycle Analysis of Mananasi Fibre Ltd’s pineapple leaf waste processing facility The global pineapple market is growing almost exponentially and currently produces 28 million tons per annum, with an estimated market size of USD 28.79 billion in 2024, which is projected to reach USD 39.13 billion by 2029. In Kenya, pineapple farming is a
If you’re looking for practical insights to setting up and scaling plastic waste initiatives, look no further. The SMEP-funded Flipflopi Project has launched a step-by-step guide to help recyclers build resilient, impact-driven recycling programmes. The Toolkit is available for free at toolkit.theflipflopi.com. “By sharing what we’ve learned, we hope coastal and remote communities are better
Our technical delivery partner, UNCTAD, will be hosting a side-event to the World Circular Economy Forum 2025! Opportunities for embedding the bio-economy into national circular economy plans 🗓 Date: 12 May 2025🕒 Time: 2:00 PM GMT -3⌛Duration: 3 hours📍 Venue: In person at Sala da Congregação, FEA-USP, São Paulo, Brazil, or join online. Registration Here Registration is mandatory