On a chilly Friday morning, she walks into a meeting full of other business leaders, from producers to retailers, Business Membership Organizations, legal entities, and waste management value chain players. The meeting is facilitated by the Kenya Plastics Pact to address the government’s sudden notice to transition to biodegradable bags for organic waste. She is here to seek clarity for herself and thousands of other formal and informal waste managers who wish to see truly effective and 100% biodegradable options put in place. Also, she wonders what the ban would mean for her medium-sized business and others smaller than hers. After the meeting, she engages other leaders, big and small, exchanges contacts with the new ones, and exits back into the field.
She is Lucy Ngorongo, the Founder of Junky Bins, a waste management company offering comprehensive services, including residential, commercial, hospitality, and industrial waste collection, transportation, and disposal. She strikingly balances her advocacy prowess in one day, and in another, she leads a team of men and women in collecting waste, which she otherwise refers to as “treasure hunting.”
“I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things we could reuse.”
These are words by Mother Teresa, which Lucy passionately quotes when speaking to us. She embodies this sentiment and fearlessly leads others toward a more sustainable and equitable future. In a country increasingly grappling with environmental challenges, she emerges as a pioneering force in waste management in Kenya. Her innovative approaches to recycling and waste reduction have garnered attention nationwide, positioning her as a leading figure in sustainable environmental practices.
One of the most immediate and serious environmental problems in Kenya is solid waste. Recycling organic waste material (bio-waste) is still limited. Lucy addresses the pressing issue of effective waste management with a unique project focusing on recycling organic waste using the Black Soldier Fly (BSF). This project collects organic waste daily from households, hotels, and institutions, converting it into valuable resources. The BSF larvae help in biowaste conversion, and the harvested larvae are used as a protein source for poultry, pig, and fish feeds. The residue from this process is further utilized to produce organic manure and fertilizer. The BSF project is a sustainable and cost-effective alternative protein source for animal feeds in Kenya.
As a woman-led and founded organization, Lucy says, gender mainstreaming is integral to Junky Bins’ operations. Despite the field’s traditionally masculine nature, the company actively empowers women within its workforce. For instance, four women hold key positions in the office, including two on the board of directors and two in business support roles. Additionally, Junky Bins employs women to assist in moderating waste collection from households and aims to employ more women at its material recovery facility (MRF). By focusing on empowering women at the household level to enhance waste segregation, Junky Bins recognizes and leverages the critical role women play as the first handlers of waste.
Lucy Ngorongo’s dedication to waste management reflects a broader commitment to environmental sustainability and gender equality. Her work with Junky Bins not only addresses a significant environmental challenge but also champions the inclusion and empowerment of women in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Her innovative and inclusive approach is an inspiration for current and future changemakers in environmental conservation and beyond.
Junky Bins Contacts
Phone: (+254) 722206260(+254) 733175753
Email: junkybins@gmail.com
Website: https://www.junkybins.org/