Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Waste Free in ‘23 is a goal that has been set by the Slums Going Green and Clean team to eliminate the export, dumping, and burning of wastes from the community of Kibera by the end of 2023. Currently, approximately 160 tons of waste are generated in the Kibera community per month. Our goal is that 100% of that waste will be recycled in a way that is environmentally friendly, a source of jobs and income for community members, and a source of products valued by the community such as tables, chairs, chicken feed, cooking gas, and fertilizer.
Waste Free, or Zero Waste: The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health (“How Communities Have Defined Zero Waste”).
Using a low temperature heat press, a variety of plastics can be quickly and safely compressed into strong sheets that can then be formed into a variety of useful products. Harder plastics and plastics that should not be heated can be shredded into fine bits and mixed into concrete to be used in construction.
https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview
“In our current economy, we take materials from the Earth, make products from them, and eventually throw them away as waste – the process is linear. In a circular economy, by contrast, we stop waste being produced in the first place.”
The circular economy is based on three principles, driven by design:
Eliminate waste and pollution
Circulate products and materials (at their highest value)
Regenerate nature
How plastics are prepared for processing depends on their intended use. Clean and dry plastics produce panels with the highest strength and best appearance. However, a minor amount of organic matter, dirt, or water does not significantly impact the strength of the panels.
All plastics can be recycled, but current methods have proven to be economically unfeasible. The solution developed by Slums Going Green and Clean and Waste Free in ‘23 eliminates the costly processes, equipment and transportation of plastic recycling to create a model where 100% of plastics can be recycled.
A WF23 Micro Recycling Center is a smaller, convenient drop-off spots for where the trash is sorted and then used in different ways. E.g. LDPE and soft plastics are melted using heat press and shaped into different products. Organic waste is processed with Black Soldier Fly to produce high protein animal feed.
The recycling equipment is standardized to create 30cm x 122cm panels that are 6mm thick. These panels are used alone or heat bonded to other panels to create a range of products. The heat press machine requires 6kW of power and will produce a panel every 6 minutes. Therefore, a single panel requires 600 watts to manufacture. A cost of $.20 per kWh equates to $.12 per panel for energy costs.
A single panel can be made into a 122cm long section of fence or a stool = $ .12
Two panels can make a fence post or a chair = $ .24
Four panels can make a section of roof = $ .48
Six panels can make a table = $ .72
There are many methods to recycle plastics. The method we promote does not add anything to nor remove anything from the mixture of plastics collected for recycling.
All the plastics recycled are post-consumer and our process does not increase nor decrease the environmental impact of the plastics. Please refer to this article for more information.
https://onearmy.github.io/academy/plastic/safety
A single panel can be made into a 122cm long section of fence or a stool = $ .12
Two panels can make a fence post or a chair = $ .24
Four panels can make a section of roof = $ .48
Six panels can make a table = $ .72
https://www.protolabs.com/resources/blog/flame-retardant-thermoplastics-and-ul-classifications/
We add nothing and remove nothing from the plastics we recycle so they have the same flammability before and after recycling. If, for some reason, you need the products to have better resistance to burning, there are fire retardant products available to purchase.
https://www.plasticsindustry.org/advocacy/environment-health-and-safety/product-regulatory
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ppis13.pdf
Our process does not melt the plastic. The plastic is only heated to 150c which is below the melt and processing temperatures of plastics by as much as 100c! If, for some reason, ventilation and filtering is preferred, then commercial hoods and venting systems are available. Designs for a low-cost – build it anywhere – ventilation system with activated charcoal filter that will remove fumes and toxins from the plastic and other heated products are at our website www.wastefree23.org
Multiple studies have documented that plastic can replace some of the small aggregate and large aggregate in the concrete commonly used with zero or very minimal impact on the performance of the concrete. Concrete used in “low strength” application could incorporate plastic waste as a substitute for some of the sand that is currently used. The mining and transportation of sand for use in the production of concrete is environmentally harmful.
Pencils for Plastics (P4P) is an initiative to help communities get children involved and educated in preserving the environment whereby children collect any type of plastic waste and receive a school supply in exchange.. Any individual or group can organize a P4P drive. For more information, please look on our website under “Equipment and Processes.”
SGT is a registered 5013c charity in the United States that promotes environmental, economic, and social sustainability globally by empowering and providing underserved communities with the programs, strategies, and funds necessary to implement change.
Organic waste can be processed with Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)! These larvae break down the waste naturally. This process turns organic waste into a nutrient-rich fertilizer and can even produce biogas for energy.
We currently have one biogas unit. Our employee Alex, the man responsible for the pioneer organic system is the one to benefit from the system. As we scale up our system, more residents will be able to use the biogas for cooking.
Answer to be posted soon.
There are many ways you can help.
Volunteer to write content for this website. All the information should be translated into different languages.
Invite charity and organizations you know to go Waste Free in ’23! Encourage them to recycle 100% of their waste and we can help
Donate money so more communities can start recycling.
https://gofund.me/6c5ed8ee
We take the trash to Micro Recycling Centers (MRCs) where the trash is sorted and put to UPCYCLING!
Yes, protective gloves, clothes, glasses and masks are and should be provided to workers when recycling plastics and organics.
Yes, definitely! The sorted plastics can be sold. But to generate more profit and steady jobs we have Micro Recycling Centers. With or without it, some plastics are melted and shaped to make profitable products. Learn more at Waste Free ’23 University.
Answer to be posted soon!
Answer to be posted soon!
For 2 billion people, doubling annual income is possible by using a 55-gallon drum to produce biochar.
For the remaining 6 billion, the potential benefits may vary.
Biochar is essential for all 8 billion of us.
Let’s collaborate on six actions, one for everyone, to harness biochar’s environmental and economic advantages.
Here are some ideas:
- Produce and sell biochar.
- Encourage local biochar production.
- Advocate for biochar from waste with waste collectors.
- Promote biochar’s benefits for waste management, economy, and climate.
If we unite behind a clear message and actionable steps, we can achieve rapid results.
For inspiration:
- Minneapolis biochar information: Click Here
- Indonesia’s success: Coconut husks transformed into biochar and electricity at a cost of $0.01/kWh. Biochar sells for $800/tonne!
- Community empowerment: wastefree23.org helps communities produce biochar, sanitize water, and cook using the generated heat.
Why isn’t biochar widespread?
Let’s change that!
Each Micro Recycling Center can recycle 8 tons of plastics a month
Answer to be posted soon
Answer to be posted soon