African Eco-Preneur Lorna Ruto

Lorna Rutto is a Kenyan eco-preneur, and the inspiring founder of EcoPost, a social enterprise created in response to the need to find alternative waste management solutions to Kenya’s huge plastic waste problem. In 2009 she founded her company, which collects plastic waste and manufactures commercially viable, highly durable, and importantly environmentally friendly fencing posts, used widely across Kenya. In 2011, Lorna was recognised by the prestigious Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards as their laureate for sub-Saharan Africa.

Lorna has not only provided Kenya with a commercial alternative to timber, but has in the process created over 300 jobs, generated much needed revenues, saved over 250 acres of forests and taken over 1 million kilogrammes of plastic waste out of the environment. Her efforts have won her numerous plaudits and awards, both at home and abroad.

Lorna is an inspirational and passionate social entrepreneur with a vision to have a Green Africa free from poverty. Her vision for EcoPost is:

“To transform Africa’s waste into wealth”

EcoPost aims to create a sustainable solution to the growing plastic waste menace, provide a suitable alternative so that we reduce the cutting down of trees and create job opportunities to reduce poverty.

We buy plastic waste from our collection yards across the country, where women buy waste plastic from unemployed young people, and then sort and clean it before selling it to us.  “I am actually turning the trash into cash while creating job opportunities, especially for the youth and women who are generally marginalised. Nothing makes me happier.”