Growing up in the Kaptembwa Slums in Kenya, where she witnessed the effects of pollution and deforestation, climate advocate Lorna Rutto was troubled by how people hurt the environment. Plastic was littered all over, and trees were chopped down without mercy. This worrisome scene stirred up a passion in her to protect the environment.
The sustainability advocate, who initially started her career in the banking sector, forsook the security of the job to express her love for the environment. After realising the vast amounts of waste that littered her community, she decided to tackle it, hence founding EcoPost alongside Biochemical Engineer Charles Kalama in 2009.
EcoPost recycles waste plastic into eco-friendly, sustainable building materials. The aim is to create eco-friendly products while promoting waste recycling and creating jobs, particularly for women and marginalised groups. Turning waste into valuable resources is now Ruttos’ way of inspiring a shift towards sustainability and a cleaner planet.
The EcoPost Model
EcoPost began by producing fencing but has expanded to building materials like lumber and road signage. This innovative process helps reduce the amount of plastic in landfills and provides a sustainable alternative to wooden products.
They serve customers from The United Nations, which uses EcoPost products in refugee camp construction and Kenya Wildlife Service, who need fencing to create barriers between wildlife and pastoral communities.
Since its inception, EcoPost has removed over 13 million kilograms of plastic from the environment, protecting more than 4,500 acres of forests from deforestation. It has also provided 100 direct and 12,000 indirect income opportunities for people in marginalised communities and prevented more than 160 million kilos of CO2 emissions.
Beyond the environment
Ruttos’ work goes beyond environmental conservation. It also focuses on creating economic opportunities for local communities. EcoPost employs many local women, training them to occupy a previously male-dominated field. These women are now skilled workers who earn a living while contributing to a cleaner environment.
Lorna Rutto has received numerous awards for her groundbreaking work. In 2017, she was named a Cartier Women’s Initiative finalist. Her story has also been featured in various media outlets, celebrating her efforts and inspiring others to join the fight against plastic pollution.
Rutto plans to expand EcoPost’s impact. She no longer wants plastic waste to be seen as a problem but a resource. To this end, she aims to reach more communities, share her expert knowledge, and encourage others to embrace sustainable practices.
She believes we can create a cleaner, greener planet for future generations with determination and innovation.
