Plastics We Collect, Process & Supply
Comprehensive overview of the polymer types we handle, their sources, and industrial applications in Kenya.
| Material | Full Name | Common Sources | End Applications | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDPE | High-Density Polyethylene | Bottle caps, jerry cans, pipes, plastic bags | Containers, pipes, furniture, pallets | ♻️ 2 |
| PET | Polyethylene Terephthalate | Water bottles, food containers, polyester fibre | Bottles, packaging, textiles, strapping | ♻️ 1 |
| PVC | Polyvinyl Chloride | Pipes, cable insulation, window frames, flooring | Pipes, profiles, cable sheathing | ♻️ 3 |
| PP | Polypropylene | Food containers, bottle caps, automotive parts, woven bags | Automotive parts, packaging, textiles, furniture | ♻️ 5 |
| Mixed | Mixed Plastics | Mixed post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste | Plastic lumber, posts, low-spec moulded products | ♻️ 7 |
HDPE is one of the most widely recycled plastics in Kenya. It offers excellent chemical resistance and is ideal for manufacturing durable goods. Our HDPE flakes and pellets meet strict specifications for contamination and moisture content.
PET recycling in Kenya is growing rapidly. This versatile polymer is easily processed back into high-quality flakes suitable for food-grade and non-food-grade applications. We sort PET by colour and clarity for maximum value.
PVC recycling requires careful sorting to separate it from other polymers. Our processing handles both rigid and flexible PVC, supplying clean flakes to pipe and profile manufacturers throughout Kenya.
Polypropylene is highly valued in Kenya's recycling market for its versatility and heat resistance. We process PP into both flakes and pellets, serving manufacturers across multiple industries from packaging to automotive components.
Mixed plastics that cannot be economically separated by polymer type are processed into durable plastic posts and lumber. This ensures zero waste in our operations - every kilogram of plastic collected is transformed into a useful product.
In-Depth Material Specifications
Learn more about each polymer type we process and how it serves Kenya's manufacturing sector.
High-Density Polyethylene
HDPE is one of the most widely recycled plastics in Kenya. It offers excellent chemical resistance and is ideal for manufacturing durable goods. Our HDPE flakes and pellets meet strict specifications for contamination and moisture content.
Polyethylene Terephthalate
PET recycling in Kenya is growing rapidly. This versatile polymer is easily processed back into high-quality flakes suitable for food-grade and non-food-grade applications. We sort PET by colour and clarity for maximum value.
Polyvinyl Chloride
PVC recycling requires careful sorting to separate it from other polymers. Our processing handles both rigid and flexible PVC, supplying clean flakes to pipe and profile manufacturers throughout Kenya.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is highly valued in Kenya's recycling market for its versatility and heat resistance. We process PP into both flakes and pellets, serving manufacturers across multiple industries from packaging to automotive components.
Mixed Plastics
Mixed plastics that cannot be economically separated by polymer type are processed into durable plastic posts and lumber. This ensures zero waste in our operations - every kilogram of plastic collected is transformed into a useful product.
How We Process Plastic in Kenya
Every material goes through our rigorous 5-stage processing pipeline to ensure industrial-grade quality.
Collection & Aggregation
Plastic waste is collected from households, businesses, schools, and waste pickers across Kiambu, Nairobi, Murang'a, Nyeri, Embu, and Mombasa. Materials are aggregated at county-level collection points before transport to processing facilities.
Sorting & Identification
Incoming materials are manually and mechanically sorted by polymer type (HDPE, PET, PVC, PP) using visual identification, density testing, and near-infrared sorting technologies. Contaminants including metals, paper, and food residue are removed.
Shredding & Size Reduction
Sorted plastics are shredded into consistent flake sizes between 5mm and 20mm depending on product specifications. Industrial granulators ensure uniform particle distribution for downstream processing.
Washing & Cleaning
Shredded flakes undergo multi-stage washing using hot and cold water washing lines to remove labels, adhesives, oils, and surface contamination. Float-sink separation further purifies materials based on polymer density.
Quality Control & Packaging
Final products are tested for contamination levels, moisture content, and polymer purity. Materials meeting specification are packaged in bulk bags with batch certification for traceability and delivered to manufacturers across Kenya.
Glass Collection & Recycling in Kenya
In addition to plastic, Thrive Grassroots Initiative handles over 50 tonnes of glass waste monthly across our six operational counties. Glass bottles and containers are collected, sorted by colour (clear, green, amber), and supplied to glass recycling facilities for reprocessing into new glass products.
Glass recycling is particularly impactful as glass can be recycled indefinitely without loss of quality. Our collection networks ensure that glass waste is diverted from landfills and waterways, reducing environmental harm while creating economic value for community collectors throughout Kiambu, Nairobi, and other operational counties.
Glass Collection & Processing Gallery
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View our product range or get in touch to discuss your material requirements.