All about the Flipflopi — a boat made entirely from discarded flip-flops.
In June 2016, a team in Kenya set out to build a boat entirely from plastic collected along beaches and roadsides, aiming to showcase the potential of “already-used” materials. Two years later, after gathering over ten tonnes of plastic waste and 30,000 repurposed flip-flops, the ambitious idea became reality.
Constructed on the island of Lamu by traditional dhow builders using age-old techniques, the world’s first 100% recycled plastic dhow was launched in September 2018. The vessel went on to complete a pioneering 500km expedition from Kenya to Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Yet the project was never just about the boat itself. The Flipflopi was created to demonstrate that single-use plastic makes little sense, and to inspire others around the world to find creative ways to reuse and repurpose discarded plastic.
The team behind the Flipflopi believed that their positive message and brightly coloured dhow would draw attention to plastic pollution by prompting people to stop and smile. The response, however, exceeded all expectations. As it sailed down the African coast, the Flipflopi had a direct impact on tourism, sparking meaningful conversations among communities, policymakers, and businesses about plastic use and environmental responsibility.
Read more: www.theflipflopi.com
Read more: http://www.theflipflopi.com/