UNEP's 2011 Seed Award for Kenya's Watamu

Constance Hybsier, programme manager in the united nations environment programme (UNEP) said in a press release that the programme placed particular emphasis on initiatives from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Hybsier added that the awards recognise inspiring social and environmental entrepreneurs, whose grassroots businesses in developing countries can help meet sustainable development challenges, boost local economies, tackle poverty and improve livelihoods while promoting the sustainable use of resources and ecosystems. This year's award follows on the successful cooperation between Watamu community oganisations and the local marine tourism industry in creating a plastic recycling value chain, making use of the waste to generate income and create a pollution free environment.

The 2011 Seed Award received applications from 76 countries, representing the collaborative efforts of non-governmental organisations, women and youth groups, labour organisations, public authorities, international agencies and academia, Hybsier said. According to Allafrica.com, the idea behind Watamu was to recycle plastic materials and rubber wastes collected weekly from beaches and hotels, sell them to the plastic manufacturing industry and create curio materials for sale to tourists.

Read the full article on http://allafrica.com.