Ocean Sole turns flip-flop pollution into art and functional products to promote ocean conservation. Over three billion people worldwide can only afford this type of shoe, and synthetic rubber flip-flops are prevalent throughout Africa.
The average life span of a flip-flop is two years, after which they are discarded; many end up in waterways and are carried out to sea. Ocean Sole works with local communities and individuals to collect hundreds of thousands of flip-flops that are washed up on the beaches of Eastern Kenya each year. Flip-flops are then repurposed into handcrafted art pieces and sculptures, originally inspired by toys made by local children, in the process creating artisanal jobs for local Kenyans.
Ensuring the art-making process is as sustainable as possible, their own flip-flop waste created during the sculpturing process is made into mattresses and pillows which are then donated to orphanages, prisons and the homeless.
Challenges and Successes:
Ocean Sole employs people to collect flip-flops along the coast and pays them by the kilo. Recently they have expanded their focus to reach potential flip-flop collectors along waterways and from urban dumpsites in Nairobi. Flip-flops are acquired from individuals who either employ other people to collect or who sell directly to Ocean Sole. This results in the beaches from Wasaini Island to Kuruwitu, Watamu, Mwesmbeni, Vipingo and Malindi being cleaned. On average, 35 000 individual flip-flops are repurposed each month; over 400 000 units per year. Ocean Sole has developed skills and livelihood opportunities for nearly 70 full time employees, and has provided a support system of over 700 people through their flip-flop purchasing micro-economy.
While initially Ocean Sole found it challenging to produce goods of high quality from flip-flops, once techniques were perfected, the company expanded and now sells their art internationally, attracting international investors and spreading their message about marine waste. An international market was reached with PR initiatives and by contacting zoos to sell their safari collection. Ocean Sole calls their project “Conservation Entrepreneurship” – providing employment through positive conservation impacts. They work with the UN to educate youth on how passion for a clean ocean, a sustainable planet and wildlife preservation can be monetised to make income for entrepreneurs and their employees. Ocean Sole says, “Entrepreneurs need to find things they like, get people around them that believe in their mission and focus on making a difference. The money will always come when you are mission-oriented and passionate about your cause!” Ocean Sole plans to export their concept to other places around the world where flip-flop pollution is a problem.
