Learning in Lamu

A trip full of learning, exchange, building and strengthening networks…

A few months ago we were chosen to present our peer reviewed paper about the links to circular economy design principles and the specific design challenges from working with recycled plastic as a boatbuilding material at the International Marine Design Conference (IMDC) in Amsterdam. Historically this conference platform has seen the most well known and highly respected Naval Architects and Engineers come together and discuss all manner of research topics and developments usually about ships of 100s of meters of length! And yet here we were from our small island community in Lamu shaking up the system and mixing with the ‘big guns’. More and more we are seeing these opportunities appear and our exposure to this community proved not only insightful but also impact-fully opened up promising connections for collaboration and partnerships in many areas.

Being close by, our team also wanted to learn, exchange, build and strengthen our networks and expanded their trip to the UK to visit our academic partners Newcastle University & Northumbria University. We were able to visit their production facilities and view testing procedures, where we have already remotely collaborated, on pieces of our Flipflopi design work. We gratefully leapt at the chance to talk to the university teams, that have been involved in our research activities, forging forwards with face to face interaction that had been missing at that point. As a people driven organisation, for us, there is nothing more exciting than personal interaction and inspiring exchanges.

In an exchange, with other traditional boatbuilders, we were able to visit the Tall Ship boatyard in Blyth. Learning about, and having the opportunity to analyse, other designs of traditional boats is invaluable for our R&D team. These interactions are so valuable so we can move together with our ideas and align on the challenges, potential solutions and next forward steps for our recycled plastic boat building.

A bonding trip full of knowledge, creativity and as always also a bit of Flipflopi craziness. Special thanks to Dr Simon Benson and Newcastle University who enabled all of this and who continues to be a driving force and enormous support in so many ways.

Project Funding Extension

We are delighted to announce confirmation from UK International Development for a costed extension, for a duration of an additional six months, to the SMEP Program until March 2025.

The extension allows us to make necessary investments into the material recovery and recycling facility, so that the volumes, efficiencies and range of recyclable plastics for the line of value-added products can be ramped up.? The additional investment will, importantly, enable the utilisation of lower-value plastics to produce plastic sheets, from which additional products can be made for the local market. Furthermore, this will also enable a focus on meeting the growing demand for our recycled plastic traditional furniture.

This article by the SMEP Program illustrates the socio-economic impact of grant spending in underserved geographies and highlights the importance of “prioritising community involvement and fostering a sense of ownership and partnership.”

This remains at the very core of our approach as the Flipflopi and we are very fortunate to have a strong partner and support to have taken us this far. Asante sana and watch this space!

And we have only just begun!

Gratitude to our collections team, our community, SMEP, CMA CGM and Repurpose Global for supporting our idea for a zero waste archipelago!

If you want to find out more about our learning, check out this months blog HERE.