Building a strong transport network

Transporting plastic across the Lamu archipelago has been one of our biggest challenges.

Small island communities face unique transport difficulties, such as:

Difficult terrain – Driving on sand dunes and rough roads takes time and uses a lot of fuel.
Unpredictable roads – Roads can be built over or blocked, making routes unreliable.
Tide restrictions – High tide can block roads, while low tide can prevent boats from moving.

Delivery of plastics on a tuktuk

Collecting plastic from a community member in Lamu

How to manage transport challenges

If your organisation faces similar transport issues, here are some ways to improve efficiency:

Plan your collection areas – Map out where plastic is collected and how much is available to optimise transport routes and reduce costs.
Consider investing in your own transport – If hiring transport is too expensive or unreliable, look for grants or funding to buy your own vehicle or boat.
Use shared transport – Work with local vehicle or boat owners who are delivering goods but returning empty. This can lower transport costs.
Compress PET plastic before transport – PET takes up a lot of space but is lightweight. Using manual or hydraulic balers at collection points can reduce volume and make transport more efficient.
Work with local government – Speak with county or municipal authorities to understand existing and planned road networks to improve transport planning.

By strategically planning transport, organisations can reduce costs and improve efficiency in plastic collection and recycling.

 Lessons learned

The Flipflopi tractor driving along a muddy creek at low tide

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