Wanjiku Njoroge

Pioneered sustainable fashion solutions addressing plastic waste in Kenya through innovative textile recycling

Wanjiku Njoroge is a Kenyan innovator whose work in sustainable fashion has made a transformative impact across East Africa. Born in Nairobi in 1990, she developed a groundbreaking process to convert plastic waste into wearable fabrics through her startup Waste2Wear Technologies. This initiative addresses two critical issues: reducing plastic pollution in oceans and creating economic opportunities for marginalized communities.

Her breakthrough came in 2016 when she engineered a method to shred plastic bags into fibers using locally sourced machinery. This innovation won her the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation from the Royal Academy of Engineering. The resulting fabric is now used to create school uniforms, medical scrubs, and fashion accessories sold through partnerships with brands like H&M's Conscious Collection.

Njoroge's social enterprise operates recycling hubs in 8 Kenyan counties, providing training to over 500 women in plastic collection and textile production. Her work has diverted 2.3 million plastic bags from landfills since 2018, while creating income streams for 15,000+ waste collectors. In 2021, she expanded operations to Rwanda and Tanzania through a UNDP-funded initiative.

Her TED Talk 'Weaving a Plastic-Free Future' has garnered over 2 million views, inspiring similar projects in Nigeria and Ghana. Njoroge's approach integrates circular economy principles with community empowerment, recently recognized by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Circular Economy 100 program. Current projects include developing biodegradable dyes and solar-powered recycling units to further reduce environmental impact.