Listed as the world’s most problematic aquatic weed, water hyacinth has for decades clogged rivers and lakes across the globe. From Michigan lakes to Asian rivers, to Lake Victoria in East Africa.
As the world grapples with the weed’s devastating effect, a young engineering graduate from Kenya, Joseph Nguthiru, has found a way to repurpose the invasive weed into green gold.
Hyapak Ecotech — Turning Water Hyacinth Into Sustainable Products
Joseph founded the startup Hyapak, which turns hyacinth into biodegradable products, as an alternative to single-use plastics.
These include party plates, straws, wrappers, tumblers, and seedling bags. What’s more, the biodegradable products decompose within 3-12 months, leaving no waste behind.
So far, the company has helped eliminate over 300 kgs of hyacinth from Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley.
Key Takeaways for Other Countries Across the Globe
Adopting a sustainable application of turning the invasive weed into usable products is easily replicable anywhere around the globe. The raw material is available; quite frankly, supply can easily exceed demand.
All it takes is the political goodwill to implement this practical and achievable solution. A few local fine-tunings backed up by science and a strategic roadmap to integrate into established environmental programs, targeting waterway rehabilitation, and it’s good to go.
Away from the accolades Joseph has received worldwide, including becoming an Obama Foundation Fellow, in the past two years, he has proven that all we need is to tap within ourselves for innovative solutions that address urgent global challenges.
Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.