In Nairobi, Kenya, startup Gjenge Makers Ltd is revolutionizing both the construction industry and environmental sustainability. Founded by Nzambi Matee, a materials engineer, the company has developed a method to turn hard-to-recycle plastic waste into bricks that are seven times stronger than concrete and about 30% cheaper.
Strong, Colorful, and Eco-Friendly
The bricks are lightweight, durable, and available in vibrant colors, making them ideal for paving roads, walkways, and various infrastructure projects. The process requires no water or cement—only shredding plastic, mixing it with sand, heating, and molding it into shape.
Gjenge Makers’ factory produces over 1,500 bricks daily, recycling around 500 kilograms of plastic per day, helping to address the mounting plastic waste crisis in major cities.
Empowering Communities
Beyond its environmental benefits, the innovation creates local jobs, especially for women and youth. The project has received global recognition, including the UN Environment Programme’s Young Champion of the Earth Award (2020) and a spot in the Explorers Club 50 (2025).
Gjenge Makers demonstrates that what many consider worthless plastic waste can instead become the foundation of a sustainable future.
Source: Instagram
