In the Bamburi area of Mombasa County, Jill Industries is making strides in waste management by recycling plastic waste into water tanks and granules. The company focuses on recycling various types of plastic, including High-Density Polyethylene (HDP), Polyethylene (PP), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDP), and Low Linear Polyethylene (LLP).
Director Arvind Bhudia explains that they source plastic waste from landfills and Indian Ocean beaches. “We collect the waste from different places, we have around 250 collection points in three counties: Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale. We also organize beach clean-up activities, aiming to collect waste before it reaches the ocean, rivers, or landfills. That is our main motto,” Bhudia says.
Once the waste is delivered to their facility in Bamburi, it undergoes sorting, cleaning, crushing, and extruding. The processed plastic is then used to produce water tanks or sold as granules to plastic industries.
A team of 60 employees, mostly from local communities, carries out the recycling process. “We train them because most of our employees come from nearby areas. Training can take from a week to a month until they fully understand the process,” Bhudia adds.
Among the employees are Salma Kassim and Katana Yaa, who say the job has enabled them to support their families and pursue other ventures while helping keep the coastal environment clean. “Through this work, I’ve been able to open a salon, employ someone, and take care of my father, who is my only parent,” says Salma.
Currently, Jill Industries recycles between 120 and 150 tonnes of plastic waste per month, with plans to expand. “In 2024, we are recycling 120-150 tonnes per month and collecting around 5-6 tonnes a day. Our goal is to increase that to 10 tonnes daily. There’s still a lot of uncollected waste, and if we don’t act, it will end up in the ocean,” Bhudia concludes.
