Lorna Rutto

Lorna Rutto is a Kenyan eco-preneur, and the inspiring founder of EcoPost , a social enterprise created in response to the need to find alternative waste management solutions to Kenya's huge plastic waste problem. In 2009 she founded her company, which collects plastic waste and manufactures commercially viable, highly durable, and importantly environmentally friendly fencing posts, used widely across Kenya. In 2011, Lorna was recognised by the prestigious Cartier Women's Initiative Awards as their laureate for sub-Saharan Africa. Lorna has not only provided Kenya with a commercial alternative to timber, but has in the process created over 300 jobs, generated much needed revenues, saved over 250 acres of forests and taken over 1 million kilogrammes of plastic waste out of the environment. Her efforts have won her numerous plaudits and awards, both at home and abroad. As a young child, growing up in the Kaptembwa Slums in Kenya, Lorna Rutto experienced more than her fair share of poverty, unemployment, garbage and rotting waste in the streets, and clogged, overflowing sewers encroaching people's homes. As a young schoolgirl, her eco-consciousness came to the fore, when she noticed the huge amounts of plastic waste littering the environment. She decided to start making a small difference to addressing the situation, recycling this plastic litter and making creative pieces of jewellery and small ornaments by melting the plastic, reshaping and decorating it into new objects. She sold her creative work at school to other pupils and friends for small amounts of money, but it was a small step to becoming more environmentally aware. After school, she went to college, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting, and went into a career in banking, a solid career choice given the tough employment market in Kenya at the time. However, she felt unfulfilled and longed to work with people and in the field of science, instead of working on financial systems and structures.... Lorna and her eco-business are truly inspirational and demonstrate how it is possible to create a viable and sustainable business in Africa, whilst at the same time positively impacting on local communities and the environment. Melanie Hawken, LoA founder & editor-in-chief Lorna is an inspirational and passionate social entrepreneur with a vision to have a Green Africa free from poverty. Her vision for EcoPost is: EcoPost aims to create a sustainable solution to the growing plastic waste menace, provide a suitable alternative so that we reduce the cutting down of trees and create job opportunities to reduce poverty. We buy plastic waste from our collection yards across the country, where women buy waste plastic from unemployed young people, and then sort and clean it before selling it to us. "I am actually turning the trash into cash while creating job opportunities, especially for the youth and women who are generally marginalised. Nothing makes me happier." Lorna Rutto is an entrepreneur who founded Ecopost, a Nairobi-based company that recycles plastic waste. Five years ago she gave up her job deciding, instead, to pursue her dream of ridding Nairobi of plastic waste through recycling. Without much experience and money, many thought her ambition crazy. She told the BBC how she made her dream a reality and shared advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Watch her interview.... Lorna Rutto, the founder of EcoPost Limited in Kenya, has despite her tender age already attained a remarkable list of achievements in environmental conservation that has seen her garner several international awards. Lorna Rutto has won the 2014 Green Award by the Transform Kenya Awards, a joint initiative of the Standard Group and Deloitte in recognition of her work. Her company, EcoPost , has saved over 250 acres of forests and withdrawn over 1,000,000 kilograms of plastic waste from the environment. "Women entrepreneurs should network and look for mentors who will advise,