A plastic bottle dhow. Kenya is constructing the world’s first dhow made entirely from flipflops. [Photo: Arthur Buliva/Treehugger]
Kenya is constructing the world’s first dhow made entirely from flip-flops, popularly known as slippers, collected in the Kenyan coastline in a bid to curb the plastic menace.
Dubbed Muli, the pioneer 60-foot sailing boat is made from flip-flops, colourful sandals collected as litter along the Kenyan shores.
The flip-flop is common in Kenya both as an indoor and outdoor shoe as it is cheap, readily available and easy to replace.
Once worn out, the flip-flop is often left wondering along the beaches as it is easily swept away by waves from shorelines as guest relax.
On its maiden trip, Muli will sail 5,250 kilometres to South Africa in January next year to create aware about the single use of plastics and also give alternatives on how to recycle the footwear.
Already, the construction of the boat has begun in Lamu and will consume over 30 tonnes of recycled plastic waste and close to 200 000 discarded flip-flops collected from the Kenyan coast line.
Lamu is historically the leader in dhow manufacturing, mainly from wood products.
Project leader Ben Morrison said the building and the expedition is a major way of creating awareness and initiating changes in how single-use plastics are used globally.
He termed the use of plastic rubber soles as a man-made menace to the fragile ecosystem.
“They spoil the natural landscape too, creating an eyesore for people who run to the beach to enjoy Mother Nature,” he added.
Overseeing its construction is professional dhow constructer Ali Skanda who termed the construction as an exciting challenge.
“It will propel people to dispose of waste carefully,” he added.
CEO of Regeneration Africa Sam Ngaruiya pointed out that they will try different techniques including combining of various plastic elements to achieve the correct strength and properties of the final pieces.
“We will test each and every piece of the boat to ensure the right quality and strength. The plastics are also very durable and hence the boat can serve many generations after us,” he added.
A 2016 report published by the World Economic Forum indicates that in 2050 oceans will have more plastics than fish.
Produced by Ellen Mac Arthur Foundation, the report indicates that plastic production will increase to 1.124 billion tonnes by 2050.
James Wakibia, an environmental activist who has been championing for the ban of plastic bags through the #ISupportBanPlastics Initiative hailed the move, saying there was an urgent need to seek alternative options to the current disaster.
“If we can control 70 percent of the plastics in the country we can reduce environmental pollution by three-quarters. Plastic bags, bottles and rubber are the worst pollutants and are responsible for the current eyesore experienced in the lakes and ocean. At the Nakuru National Park, 20 tonnes of plastic bags are collected annually, choking wildlife and marine life,” he added.