Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue, impacting habitats and biodiversity, reducing our planet’s ability to adapt to climate change, and directly affecting the livelihoods and health and wellbeing of millions around the world.
Plastic emits greenhouse gas throughout its entire lifecycle. The production of plastic is also rapidly outpacing our ability to handle the waste generated – according to the United Nations, over 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year globally. Half of this is disposable plastic, designed to be used only once – and of that, less than 10 percent is recycled.
Plastic pollution is the theme of World Environment Day 2023 – the fiftieth year of marking the biggest international day for the environment. Without action, the amount of plastic waste flowing into aquatic ecosystems will nearly triple by 2040, and exposure to air pollution beyond safe guidelines, which includes microplastics and the burning of plastics, will increase by 50 percent within the decade.
Shifting to a circular economy – reducing, reusing, and regenerating – is one of the ways we can reduce the volume of plastic pollution entering our ecosystems.
In Kenya, Patrice is doing just that.
Patrice owns a business called Patvention that collects waste around central Kenya. Recycling plastic and rice husks into ecofriendly beehives, Patvention works with farmers in the community to help them understand the importance of bees and the value of using recycled materials when constructing beehives.
But like many women entrepreneurs, Patrice lacked the support she needed to grow her business in a male-dominated industry.
With support from Canada, Patrice connected with a local organization – Ongoza – that helped her identify business challenges and provided tailored, flexible support. As a parent to a young child, Patrice was unable to travel to training sessions – so Ongoza went to visit her instead.
Through the program, Patrice developed a pitch deck, financial model, and marketing strategy, and was able to build connections with other institutions. Patrice was also able to grow her business, hiring 13 new employees and innovating new machinery like a bee venom harvester.
“Before, I didn’t have enough knowledge on running a business and bookkeeping. [This program] has trained me a lot on having a proper understanding of my business and how to make profit, but also to run it in a manner that will protect the environment.” – Patrice
Theodore, who works at Ongoza and worked closely with Patrice, describes Patvention as business run with humanity. “She provides housing for [her employees]. In low seasons with limited need for beehives, she gives them leeway to work other jobs and opened up a salon and small shop for her employees to earn more money… Not many people would do that.”