A Kenyan startup is tackling two environmental problems with one innovative solution: using invasive water hyacinths from Lake Naivasha to create biodegradable packaging.
Lake Naivasha, located a few hours northwest of Nairobi, is known for its wildlife, including flamingos and hippos. However, the lake is facing an invasion of water hyacinths, an invasive plant species that is disrupting local fishermen’s livelihoods. The plants clog the water, entangling boat engines and fishing nets, and lowering oxygen levels, which has led to a decline in fish populations.
Fisherman Simon Macharia described how the invasion has affected his catch. “We used to catch up to 90 kilograms of fish per day, but now we only get between 10 and 15 kilograms,” he said, adding that the hyacinth infestation has affected breeding zones.
Joseph Nguthiru, a young entrepreneur, saw an opportunity to solve both environmental problems — the invasive plant and plastic waste pollution — with his company, HyaPak. The idea for the business began as a university project, sparked by a field trip that stranded Nguthiru and his classmates on Lake Naivasha due to the invasive plants.
“We are trying to use one problem, water hyacinth, to solve another — plastic waste,” Nguthiru explained. “We work with fishermen who harvest the water hyacinth for us.”
The process starts with the fishermen collecting and drying the water hyacinth on-site. The plant is then transported to HyaPak’s facility, where it is mixed with binders and additives, shaped, and transformed into biodegradable packaging products.
Nguthiru is targeting industries that heavily rely on plastic but are looking to transition to more sustainable options. “One of these is agriculture, where plastic bags are commonly used for packaging seedlings,” he said. “Our biodegradable bags, when planted in the ground with seedlings, decompose and release nutrients that help accelerate plant growth and reduce water consumption for irrigation.”
HyaPak is already exporting its products to the United States and Germany, and Nguthiru has plans to expand the business further, with potential franchises in India and El Salvador, both of which also struggle with invasive water hyacinths.
By turning a harmful plant into a valuable resource, Nguthiru’s company is helping to reduce plastic waste while supporting local fishermen and promoting sustainable practices.