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Lorna Rutto

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Lorna Rutto
Born1984 (age 39–40)
Nakuru, Kenya
Alma materAfrica Nazarene University (BCom)
OccupationEcopreneur
Years active2009-
Known forEcopost
Awards
Websitewww.ecopost.co.ke

Lorna Rutto (born 1984) [1] is a Kenyan ecopreneur, and founder of Ecopost,[2] a social enterprise that manufactures fencing posts and other products from recycled plastic waste in offering sustainable jobs to people in marginalized communities and solutions to Kenya's plastic waste challenge.[3][4][5][6][7]

Early life, education

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Nakuru Town, Kenya

Lorna Rutto was born in 1984 in the Kaptembwa Slums of Nakuru, Kenya,[8] her upbringing was marked by the stark realities of poverty and environmental degradation. Growing up amidst overflowing sewers and streets strewn with waste, she developed an early awareness of the pressing need for waste management solutions. This awareness laid the foundation for her endeavours in environmental entrepreneurship.[9][10][11]

Africa Nazarene University logo

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in accounting from African Nazarene University. Despite entering the banking sector post-graduation, Lorna felt a disconnect between her career and her passion for environmental conservation.[12][13][14][15]

Career

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In 2008 she was hired at Imperial Bank, one of the largest banks in Kenya, two years later, she left  her banking job and ventured into entrepreneurship. Inspired by her commitment to environmental sustainability, she founded EcoPost alongside her co-founder, Charles Kalama, in 2009. EcoPost specializes in recycling plastic waste collected from various sources across Nairobi to manufacture durable and eco-friendly fencing posts. Lorna propelled EcoPost to become a leading player in Kenya's waste management and environmental conservation landscape.[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]

Ecopost

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Nairobi, Kenya

In 2009 Lorna founded Ecopost alongside her co-founder, Charles Kalama, to offer  a sustainable substitute to timber while concurrently fostering socio-economic growth. The founding was inspired by her upbringing in the Slum of Nakuru,[24] and growing amidst overflowing sewers and street strewn with waste. Ecopost is based in Nairobi, Kenya.[25]

In the past 15 years EcoPost has recycle over 13 million kilograms of plastic waste, catalyzing the creation of more than 300 direct employment opportunities and fostering approximately 12,000 indirect income avenues within marginalized communities. Additionally, the conservation efforts extend to the preservation of approximately 4,500 acres of forests and the mitigation of over 160 million kilograms of CO2 emissions.[26] Presently, EcoPost procures 30 tonnes of waste on a monthly basis, channeling this resource towards the fabrication of construction materials essential for diverse applications such as fencing, residential structures, and traffic signage. [27] Notably, in 2015, EcoPost recorded a turnover of 65 million FCFA (equivalent to 100 thousand euros).[28]

Recognition

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Lorna's contribution to environmental sustainability has earned her widespread recognition. In 2011, she was named one of the Top 40 Women under 40 in Kenya by Business Daily Africa.

In 2012 She was featured on 'The 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa by Forbes [29] also in 2012 she was nominated by the Guardian among Africa's Top 25 women achievers. In 2013, she was named the Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year for Africa, and in 2014, she was awarded the United Nations Person of the Year for Kenya.[30][31]

Awards

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2014 – Future Awards Africa[32]

2011 – Cartier Women's Initiative Award Sub-Saharan Laureate [33][34]

2011 – Acumen Fund winner[35]

2010 – SEED Award[36][37]

2010 – World Wide Fund for Nature Award (Bid Network Winner) [38]

2010 – Bid Network Nature Challenge Award.[39]

2009 – Enablis Energy Safaricom  Business Launchpad Award.[40][41]

2017 – Sri Sathya Sai Award [42]

References

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  1. ^ Paukwa (2023-03-08). "Lorna Rutto: Repurposing Plastic to Reduce Waste". Paukwa. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  2. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  3. ^ "Lorna Rutto, founder of EcoPost, sustainable living and green technology entrepreneur, Kenya". Lionesses of Africa. 2015-01-02. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  4. ^ "African Dream: Lorna Rutto's business advice". BBC News. 2014-11-11. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  5. ^ "Turning plastic waste into sustainable growth: Driving Circular Economy in Kenya". www.k-online.com. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  6. ^ "AFSIC - Investing in Africa". AFSIC 2024 - Investing in Africa. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  7. ^ DomínguezMunllonch, Montse (2021-04-13). "Lorna Rutto, a green social entrepreneur". 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  8. ^ "From slum living to company director". www.ilo.org. 2013-02-25. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  9. ^ "In Kenya, Lorna Rutto recycles plastic waste into building materials :: AWE - En". africawomenexperts.com. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  10. ^ Nyarko, Nathan (2023-04-27). "LORNA RUTTO – Founder, Ecopost Limited - The Entrepreneur Who Is Turning Waste Into Gold". Africa Leaders Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  11. ^ Sundholm, Mattias (2013-08-15). "Remarks at "Entrepreneurship for Development" General Assembly Thematic Debate". Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  12. ^ "Lorna Rutto: Creating posts from plastics earned her numerous awards for conservation". The Standard. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  13. ^ "EcoPost recycles waste plastic to manufacture into eco-friendly plastic lumber, creating sustainable jobs for people in marginalized communities while conserving the environment". www.cartierwomensinitiative.com. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  14. ^ "Lorna Rutto - The Story Of An Ecopreneur Who Is Making A Difference In The Urban Slums Of Kenya Through Plastic Waste Recycling | Duchess International Magazine". 2015-12-24. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  15. ^ "Research Publications - Africa Nazarene University". 2023-09-07. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  16. ^ "Ecopreneur Leadership with Lorna Rutto". Amazons Watch Magazine. 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  17. ^ "Lorna Rutto: Garbage Collector Who Quit a Stable Bank Job". 2024-03-18. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  18. ^ Turning plastic waste into fencing posts | CNN. 2016-06-01. Retrieved 2024-04-23 – via edition.cnn.com.
  19. ^ "Turning waste plastic into sustainable prosperity". Green Economy Coalition. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  20. ^ Okunlola, Bolu (2019-12-13). "How Lorna Rutto is Defining the Recycling Industry in Kenya". Founders Africa. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  21. ^ "In Kenya, a woman turns plastic into gold - Afrikhepri". Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  22. ^ Feukeng, Luchelle (2018-09-21). "KENYA: Ecopost manufactures building materials from plastic waste". Afrik 21. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  23. ^ Akinsemolu, Adenike A. (2020-03-28). The Principles of Green and Sustainability Science. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-981-15-2493-6.
  24. ^ Paukwa (2023-03-08). "Lorna Rutto: Repurposing Plastic to Reduce Waste". Paukwa. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  25. ^ "Ecopost Limited". www.ecopost.co.ke. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  26. ^ "EcoPost recycles waste plastic to manufacture into eco-friendly plastic lumber, creating sustainable jobs for people in marginalized communities while conserving the environment". www.cartierwomensinitiative.com. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  27. ^ Turning plastic waste into fencing posts | CNN. 2016-06-01. Retrieved 2024-04-24 – via edition.cnn.com.
  28. ^ "EcoPost recycles waste plastic to manufacture into eco-friendly plastic lumber, creating sustainable jobs for people in marginalized communities while conserving the environment". www.cartierwomensinitiative.com. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  29. ^ Nsehe, Mfonobong. "30 Under 30: Africa's Best Young Entrepreneurs". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  30. ^ "Lorna Rutto — Unreasonable Entrepreneur". Unreasonable Group. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  31. ^ Sanchez, Dana (2014-02-06). "30 Of Africa's Most Promising Young African Entrepreneurs: Forbes". Moguldom. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  32. ^ "Lorna Rutto, the Kenyan lady who turns trash into cash". Seti. 2019-08-10. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  33. ^ "EcoPost recycles waste plastic to manufacture into eco-friendly plastic lumber, creating sustainable jobs for people in marginalized communities while conserving the environment". www.cartierwomensinitiative.com. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  34. ^ "Cartier Toasts 15 Years of Its Global Women's Initiative With a Ceremony in Dubai". Robb Report. 2022-03-14. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  35. ^ "Lorna Rutto, founder of EcoPost, sustainable living and green technology entrepreneur, Kenya". Lionesses of Africa. 2015-01-02. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  36. ^ gGmbH, adelphi research. "EcoPost". SEED - Promoting Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  37. ^ "Lorna Rutto Biography | Booking Info for Speaking Engagements". www.allamericanspeakers.com. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  38. ^ Ronoh, Faith. "Lorna Rutto: Creating posts from plastics earned her numerous awards for conservation". The Standard. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  39. ^ Institute, Unreasonable (2013-10-08). "Why the Key to Stopping Deforestation Resides in Plastic". Unreasonable. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  40. ^ Kachwanya, Kennedy (2010-11-23). "Chase Bank Enablis Business Launchpad Competition Unveil the Winners". KachTech Media. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  41. ^ Gicheru, Martin (2010-11-22). "Winners of Chase Bank Enablis Business LaunchPad announced". Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  42. ^ Tripathi, Shailaja (2017-11-27). "A different post". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
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