Transferring Upmade know-how to Kenya

Kenya is grappling with severe environmental repercussions caused by textile waste and there is currently no dedicated industrial emphasis on modifying production processes to diminish pre-consumer waste. This issue arises from the prevailing linear textile manufacturing model, which exacerbates climate change through its excessive use of raw materials, water, and energy, as well as the substantial generation of pre-consumer industrial waste.

The Kenyan textile sector holds the promise of evolving into a thriving and resilient industry by embracing circularity principles. This transition towards a circular model offers the opportunity to circumvent the pitfalls associated with the current linear system, which have adverse effects on people’s welfare, the environment, and the economy. Moreover, it presents the potential for positive outcomes, such as job generation and skill enhancement.

The aim of the project is to introduce specialised upcycling expertise, specifically the UPMADE model (see here: https://www.upmade.org/software) and associated knowledge, to the Kenyan Rivatex textile factory. This initiative will empower industrial enterprises to enhance their value chains, resulting in the production of more refined products, heightened competitiveness, and a reduction in environmental footprints. Given the substantial environmental impact associated with the entire lifecycle of textile materials and industries, adopting the UPMADE model will directly lead to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by Rivatex, thereby contributing significantly to achieving climate targets.

SEI Tallinn will carry out a methodological study of textile waste and material analyses with design input specifications at the Rivatex factory in Kenya. The study will compile data on the reduction, re-use and recycling of textile waste, which will form the basis for further UPMADE recommendations and workshops.

SEI Tallinn´s tasks in the project:

• Preparation of the waste analysis for the Rivatex factory,
• Conducting a waste analysis in the Rivatex factory,
• Analysis and formatting of the collected survey data,
• Calculation of the environmental benefits from the implementation of the UPMADE model based on the mapping,
• Preparation of material analyses with description of the design input.

Project partners

• Estonian Academy of Arts (lead partner, Estonia)
• Moi University (Kenya)

Funding

Project is financed by the Republic of Estonia.