When Weeds Become Plastic: Saving Lakes and Forests

A lake so filled with weeds that boats get stuck and fish struggle to breathe. That's the scene at Lake Naivasha in Kenya, where water hyacinths are taking over. These plants, originally from South America, are choking local ecosystems and causing trouble worldwide. But there's a twist: a Kenyan company is turning these weeds into useful plastic. Meet HyaPak Ecotech, started by Joseph Nguthiru. They take water hyacinths, dry them, and mix them with other materials to create bioplastic. This plastic breaks down naturally in a few months, unlike regular plastic that can take centuries. Plus, it's helping the environment in two ways: it clears out the invasive weeds and reduces plastic waste.Fishermen like Simon Macharia are now earning extra money by collecting water hyacinths for HyaPak. The company is also part of Kenya's plan to plant 15 billion seedlings by 2032. Their bioplastic bags help new trees grow stronger and need less water. The idea is spreading too, with plans to start businesses in countries like India and El Salvador, where water hyacinths are also a problem. Nguthiru believes in sharing his innovation to tackle climate change quickly. He says, "It's up to us to find solutions for the climate crisis. "