How urge for clean ocean birthed venture that turns waste into trendy bags

Walking on the beaches of the Indian Ocean on Kenya’s coast, one will not fail to notice the waste floating on the water, which harms marine life and degrades the environment and various tourist attractions that are found here.

The scenario has never escaped the attention of Robert Mrima and John Kamau, who, having grown up in Mombasa, have experienced first-hand the environmental challenges and inconveniences of living in a coastal city.

But in early 2020, a chance conversation over coffee sparked an idea that would change their lives and potentially the lives of many others.

The two jobless childhood friends came up with an innovative idea that would earn them a decent income to sustain their livelihoods.

Sitting in a small café, they discussed the lack of proper disposal methods for banners after they were removed from billboards. These materials, often made from durable, weather-resistant PVC, ended up in landfills or polluted water bodies, contributing to environmental degradation.

"We discovered that the banners, after being used, lacked a proper disposal method and could very well serve as good materials for making bags which are waterproof and trendy since each banner comes with its design," Kamau told The Eastleigh Voice.

John Kamau, co-founder, Roka Bags Africa. (Photo: Roka Bags Africa)

Inspired by this discovery, the two friends started Roka Bags Africa and began repurposing used billboard materials and banners into eco-friendly, waterproof bags.

"We started making trendy, eco-friendly, and waterproof bags from recycled banners, and that was how Roka Bags Africa was born," said Mrima.

Their mission is to prevent these materials from ending up in landfills or water bodies, thus reducing soil infertility, and air pollution, and providing job opportunities for women and youths in tailoring, marketing, and logistics.

Personal need

The need for environmentally conscious solutions was personal for the two.

"Living in the coastal region, we witness a lot of waste ending up in the Indian Ocean, which is affecting marine life and leading to the degradation of our environment and tourism attractions," Kamau said, revealing that this was one of their biggest motivations to start Roka Bags Africa.

Their childhood friendship played a crucial role in the creation and development of the business as it fostered a strong sense of trust, which, according to Mrima, is crucial for any business.

Robert Mrima, co-founder, Roka Bags Africa. (Photo: Roka Bags Africa)

Together, they navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship, driven by their shared commitment to making a positive environmental impact.

They were concerned about the environmental impact of decommissioned billboard banners, which is significant. Made from PVC, a weather-resistant and durable plastic, these materials are ordinarily not recyclable after use.

But Roka Bags Africa gives the used billboards and banners a second life by transforming them into durable, weatherproof bags.

Since its inception, Roka Bags Africa has made notable strides in waste management.

"To date, we have prevented over 1,200 banners from becoming waste. Last year alone, we collected 440 kilos of banners and billboards," Mrima said.

Their process involves collecting used billboard banners, washing and cutting them into various bag designs, and then taking them to the tailoring department where they are combined with additional fabrics to become bags.

Customers view some of the Roka Bags. (Roka Bag Africa)

For the two entrepreneurs, sourcing and recycling billboard materials comes with its challenges such as a lack of resources to help sensitise people on the need to have the waste recycled and running out of stock due to the unavailability of waste banners.

According to Kamau, collecting the used banners also comes with significant costs.

Partnerships

To overcome this, Roka Bags Africa has partnered with advertising companies to help collect used banners in Mombasa.

Mrima said what sets Roka Bags Africa's products apart from other eco-friendly bags on the market is their unique design.

"Our bags are unique because we combine banners with African fabric for a more appealing look. They are also rainproof, protecting electronic gadgets and belongings in harsh weather conditions," he said.

Quality and durability are ensured through innovation and regular feedback from clients.

A customers with one of the Roka Bag. (Roka Bag Africa)

"We have brought on board top designers to ensure creativity. We also regularly collect feedback from our clients to provide them with durable and high-quality Roka bags," Kamau said.

Beyond the environmental impact, Roka Bags Africa contributes significantly to the local community and its economy. They provide employment opportunities, promote sustainable practices, and empower local artisans.

"We engage in environmental conservation efforts such as tree planting and waste reduction to promote sustainability and environmental awareness. We also train the local community in tailoring and bag making, helping them set up their small businesses," Mrima said.

So far, they have employed 10 youths at their workshop near Fort Jesus in Mombasa, with five working full-time and the others part-time.

Kamau revealed that they plan to expand their operations to East Africa, South Africa, and in the European market including Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.

They plan to establish collaborations and partners who will assist in marketing in these targeted locations, further expanding their impact and reaching more customers and communities.

In a world increasingly aware of environmental issues, Kamau’s and Mrima’s story is a testament to the power of innovation, friendship, and determination. Their work is an inspiration even to their clients.