The FlipFlopi Expedition is turning over 45 tonnes of plastic waste collected in Kenya in to a modernised traditional 60 foot sailing dhow and sailing the vessel on a 5000km expedition from Kenya to CapeTown, SouthAfrica.
This project will achieve two world firsts; the first Lamu dhow built entirely from plastic waste, pioneering new technology in the process, and the first dhow to sail down the East Coast of Africa and around the Cape of Good Hope.
As a public awareness campaign, the expedition seeks to highlight the value of used plastics. The outside of the boat will be covered in 200000 recycled flipflops, hence the name, FlipFlopi. This covering of over 250 square meters of colourful flip-flops is strategically set to grab public attention and generate global media coverage. This will draw focus to the key project goal: to champion sustainable use and management of plastics by encouraging people to join a “plastic revolution”. This revolution urges people to eliminate single-use plastics from their lives and to reuse and recycle plastic or educe environmental impacts in Africa and the rest of the world. The project and the #PlasticRevolution campaign (launched by internationally renowned Kenyan celebrities) has already received regional media interest as well as coverage on major TV networks and publications in Kenya and internationally.
Challenges and Successes:
As a traditional African boat on a journey down an African coast engaging with Africans on African issues, The FlipFlopi Expedition involves Africans by being rooted in African identity. Most plastic research and ocean activism occurs in developed countries, but with the biggest emitters of ocean plastics being developing nations, targeting these countries in awareness campaigns that they can identify with is vital for global change. While being relevant locally, the project’s communication strategy is also focused on global reach, awareness and engagement.
The #PlasticRevolution campaign and FlipFlopi Expedition have created awareness of the marine waste crisis. It has inspired schools and hotels in their local community to participate in beach clean-ups and make efforts to reduce their own plastic consumption. Furthermore, the Expedition has become a platform that connects people and their ideas. The FlipFlopi Expedition is ultimately about using innovation to inspire behavioural change to address marine waste.
