How Kwale youth are transforming madafu waste into eco-friendly resources

Fresh coconut water, commonly known as madafu, is a staple drink for both locals and tourists seeking refreshment in the coastal cities.

However, once the drink is consumed, the empty husks are often discarded, piling up on beaches and eventually polluting the ocean. In response to this growing environmental challenge, a group of young people in Kwale County has developed an innovative way to repurpose madafu waste, transforming it into an eco-friendly resource for tree planting, charcoal production, and organic fertiliser.

Their initiative, which began as a beach clean-up exercise, has now evolved into a full-scale environmental conservation effort aimed at tackling climate change and reducing plastic pollution.

During one of their regular clean-ups, the youth noticed the sheer volume of coconut husks littering the coastline. Rather than disposing them in landfills, they saw an opportunity to use them as biodegradable alternatives to plastic seedling bags.

The husks, when hollowed out, serve as natural containers for tree seedlings, allowing them to grow without the need for plastic nurseries. Once planted, the husks naturally decompose, enriching the soil in the process.

Ramadhan Sadik, a youth officer with the Red Cross in Kwale, is one of the minds behind this initiative.

“We collect waste from the beach, including plastics and coconut husks. After sorting, we use the deeper husks for planting trees, the smaller pieces for making charcoal, and the lightweight husks as fertiliser. This way, nothing goes to waste,” Ramadhan explained.

He further noted that their approach is a significant improvement on previous methods, which relied heavily on plastic bags for seedling cultivation.

“In 2022, we realised that using plastic in tree nurseries contradicted our conservation goals. We experimented with bamboo but faced challenges. Then we discovered that coconut husks retain heat and moisture, making them ideal for seedling growth,” he added.

Since adopting this method, the group has planted over 60,000 seedlings, including indigenous and fruit-bearing trees such as neem, mango, guava, acacia, and jacaranda.

The initiative is not only helping the environment but also fostering greater community participation. Local schools have embraced the concept, with students actively engaging in tree-planting exercises.

Pataka Ali Mwinyi, a teacher at Malalani Primary School, highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of the approach.

“This method is affordable and sustainable. Instead of buying plastic seedling bags, we now use coconut husks, which are readily available and decompose naturally. It’s a win-win for both farmers and the environment,” he stated.

Besides tree planting, the group has found another use for the discarded husks: charcoal production. Unlike traditional charcoal-making, which involves cutting down trees, this process repurposes waste husks to create briquettes.

The husks are burned, ground into fine powder, and mixed with cassava pulp before being compressed into solid briquettes.

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• Coast
• climate change
• Kwale County
• Coconut
• madafu
• How Kwale youth are transforming madafu waste into eco-friendly resources
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Mohammed Mwaenzi, a Red Cross associate in Kwale, believes this innovation could significantly reduce deforestation.

“Using husks to make briquettes is a game-changer. We have an abundance of coconut husks here on the coast. By replacing tree-cutting with this method, we can slow down desertification and promote sustainable energy use,” he remarked.

The final product from the madafu husks is organic compost. The husks, combined with other farm waste, are left to decompose, creating nutrient-rich fertiliser that improves soil structure and moisture retention.

Christine Ndambuki, a member of the youth group, noted that the compost has significantly boosted local horticultural farming.

“We have seen increased crop yields since farmers started using this fertiliser. It holds water in the soil longer, reducing irrigation needs, especially during dry seasons,” she said.

She noted that the multi-purpose use of coconut husks not only mitigates plastic pollution but also addresses food security challenges by promoting sustainable farming practices.

“This Kwale youth initiative stands as a testament to how small community-driven efforts can create lasting impact as environmental concerns continue to rise. With support from conservation organisations and government agencies, such initiatives could be replicated across Kenya, offering practical solutions to the dual challenges of pollution and climate change,” she said.