Joyce Waithira is the CEO of EcoRich Solutions, a Kenyan firm that converts waste into organic fertilizer. In an interview, Waithira revealed she started the business with Sh6,000, and after two years, the business had earned her fortune.
“I started EcoRich Solutions to reduce the burden of urban waste, mostly in informal settlements,” she said.
Her idea was well received by Nairobi’s informal settlements residents who have for years survived in smelly environments given the uncontrolled waste disposals in these areas.
How EcoRich Solutions works
The company distributes bins to hundreds of households in Nairobi’s Kibera and Kiambu county, for them to put their waste. The special bins are A.I devices that use soil-based microorganisms to convert waste to organic fertilizer within three days.
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”We then collect this organic fertilizer from these households and distribute it to smallholder farmers in rural areas at a 70% cheaper price compared to the normal synthetic fertilizers.”
”Once distributed and applied, our organic fertilizer improves soil health through increased microbial activity in the soil, causing increased nutrient mineralization rates, cation (Potassium and Calcium ions) formation, and activity.’’ The company states.
Waithira says her company intends to distribute its products countrywide, given the benefits of organic fertilizers. Currently, EcoRich sells a 50kg bag of fertilizer for Sh2500.
“Our future plan is to make sure that there are no dumpsites in our cities and that all waste produced in households is recycled to fertilizers that help farmers double their farm yields.’’ She said.
Her immense contribution to environmental conservation saw her recognized in the DIAR Awards 2021. She also won the Women Agribusiness Award in an event held in Accra, Ghana, last year.
She was also recently named in the AGRA’s finalist list for the upcoming Women’s Agripreneurs of the Year Awards that will take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
