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The Flipflopi project was co-founded by Kenyan tour operator Ben Morison in 2016, and the innovative dhow was built by master craftsmen Ali Skanda and a team of volunteers using 10,000 tons of recycled plastic.
The boat takes its name from the 30,000 recycled flip flops used to decorate its multicolored hull.
Plastics account for 80% of all marine litter
The United Nations Environment Agency's (UNEP) clean seas campaign is associated with Flipflopi for the trip along the East African coast, which began on January 23. to end on February 7, with the aim of encouraging citizens of Africa and the world to become more aware of the dangers of plastic pollution.
The Clean Seas campaign was launched in 2017 to encourage governments, businesses and citizens to eliminate the major sources of marine litter – microplastics in cosmetics and the excessive and wasteful use of disposable plastics – by 2022. Every year, more than 8 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans, wreaking havoc on marine wildlife, fisheries and tourism and causing damage of at least $ 8 billion to marine ecosystems. Up to 80% of the waste in the oceans is plastic.
Historic Pollution Commitments on the Flipflopi Road
During his trip, Flipflopi made several stops to inform the people of the region what they could do to stop the spread of toxic plastic waste, especially in the Kenyan coastal towns of Kipini, Malindi and Mombasa.
Workshops were held to give community members a better understanding of the consequences of dumping plastic waste into the ocean and to show children how to create new useful objects from submerged plastic bottles.
During the Flipflopi trip, each stop announced historic commitments in the fight against pollution. One of the most important is the commitment to close the Kibarani landfill in Mombasa, allowing toxic water to flow directly into the ocean. Kibarani is being restored and planted with trees, while the waste would be disposed of on a new site in a more environmentally friendly way.
Another positive result of the campaign was the decision of 29 companies, including 22 hotels, to minimize their plastic waste through measures such as the ban on using plastic bottles and straws.
The UN's Clean Seas – Flipflopi Environmental Expedition is the latest chapter in Kenya's efforts to become a global pioneer in the fight against plastic pollution. In August 2017, the country introduced the world's toughest plastic bag ban for anyone who produces, sells or uses a plastic bag, risking imprisonment for up to four years or more. $ 40,000 fine.
The next step for Flipflopi will be a trip to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, where heads of state, environment ministers, environmental activists, innovators, NGOs and CEOs of multinational companies will gather for the fourth Assembly of Nations United for the Environment, the highest in the world. Higher Level Environmental Forum – March 11-15, 2019.
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