Zimbabwean innovative entrepreneur Tinashe Manyonga seeks to solve one of the most enduring ecological problems on earth using recyclable polystyrene waste to create consumables. Through his company, ‘Temp-Bag Outdoor Living Products’, Manyonga uses plastics and discarded extruded polystyrene to produce environmentally friendly, non-electric thermal bags, such as cooler bags and cooking bags.
Polystyrene is one of the most dangerous pollutants in the world, taking up to 500 years to degrade. It is very harmful to the atmosphere when burnt, as it produces a highly toxic gas called styrene. While polystyrene was banned in Zimbabwe almost ten years ago due to environmental and health reasons, it is estimated that 140 tonnes of neopolystyrene enter the country per year via product packaging and tobacco seedling growing.
The factory owned by Manyonga grinds this waste material into tiny granules. This recycled waste material is then used as insulation in the products, with his best-selling bag using 400 grams of polystyrene. This unique innovation enables cooking bags to complete the boiling of foods such as rice or samp by retaining heat through insulation, without any extra energy being utilised.
“Through our efforts, we have been able to divert waste which would otherwise lie dormant in the environment,” said Manyonga. With hundreds of thermic bags manufactured, the project has successfully diverted non-biodegradable waste from ecologically fragile areas.
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