Ocean Sole is a Kenyan start-up that's transforming old flip-flops found on beaches and in waterways into works of art.
From flip-flops to rubber masterpieces —
Ocean Sole is a Kenyan start-up that's transforming old flip-flops found on beaches and in waterways into works of art.
www.ocean-sole.com
While working on a coastal conservation project in 1997, Kenyan Julie Church was horrified by the piles of flip-flops washing up onto the beaches, aware of the damage they were causing to the marine ecosystem.
From flip-flops to rubber masterpieces —
While working on a coastal conservation project in 1997, Kenyan Julie Church was horrified by the piles of flip-flops washing up onto the beaches, aware of the damage they were causing to the marine ecosystem.
www.ocean-sole.com
The flotsam and jetsam do not only spoil the natural beauty of the environment but are also a major hazard to the marine and terrestrial wildlife living there.
From flip-flops to rubber masterpieces —
The flotsam and jetsam do not only spoil the natural beauty of the environment but are also a major hazard to the marine and terrestrial wildlife living there.
www.ocean-sole.com
Already used by local children to make toys, Church encouraged their mothers to collect and clean the flip-flops and turn them into colorful products.
From flip-flops to rubber masterpieces —
Already used by local children to make toys, Church encouraged their mothers to collect and clean the flip-flops and turn them into colorful products.
www.ocean-sole.com
Church pulled together a team of craftsmen that would eventually transform the discarded flip-flops into animal sculptures -- big and small -- including elephants, warthogs and rhinos.
From flip-flops to rubber masterpieces —
Church pulled together a team of craftsmen that would eventually transform the discarded flip-flops into animal sculptures -- big and small -- including elephants, warthogs and rhinos.
www.ocean-sole.com
"My goal is to create change in the way people live and change in the way people understand the world and its connections," says Church.
From flip-flops to rubber masterpieces —
"My goal is to create change in the way people live and change in the way people understand the world and its connections," says Church.
www.ocean-sole.com
In 2000, WWF Switzerland put in an order for 15,000 turtle key rings, allowing the company to upgrade from sticks and thorns to beads and glue.
From flip-flops to rubber masterpieces —
In 2000, WWF Switzerland put in an order for 15,000 turtle key rings, allowing the company to upgrade from sticks and thorns to beads and glue.
www.ocean-sole.com
In 2005, Church set up a workshop at Marula Studios in Nairobi, where each product is carefully handcrafted by a local artisan.
From flip-flops to rubber masterpieces —
In 2005, Church set up a workshop at Marula Studios in Nairobi, where each product is carefully handcrafted by a local artisan.
www.ocean-sole.com
In 2006, Ocean Sole commissioned Kenyan sculptor Kioko Mutiki to create a full size Minke whale from ipops and wire mesh. Called Mfalme, the whale is on display at Haller Park in Mombasa, where it's visited by more than 1000 children a week.
From flip-flops to rubber masterpieces —
In 2006, Ocean Sole commissioned Kenyan sculptor Kioko Mutiki to create a full size Minke whale from ipops and wire mesh. Called Mfalme, the whale is on display at Haller Park in Mombasa, where it's visited by more than 1000 children a week.
www.ocean-sole.com
In 2008, an 18-foot giraffe named Twiga was shipped to Rome, Italy, to be displayed during Fashion Week as part of the International Trade Centre's campaign to raise awareness for ethical fashion.
From flip-flops to rubber masterpieces —
In 2008, an 18-foot giraffe named Twiga was shipped to Rome, Italy, to be displayed during Fashion Week as part of the International Trade Centre's campaign to raise awareness for ethical fashion.
www.ocean-sole.com
Ocean Sole provides direct employment to more than 70 people, not just in remote coastal areas but in Nairobi where the head office is based and workshops are held.
From flip-flops to rubber masterpieces —
Ocean Sole provides direct employment to more than 70 people, not just in remote coastal areas but in Nairobi where the head office is based and workshops are held.
www.ocean-sole.com
Ocean Sole aims to recycle 400,000 flip-flops a year and turn them into rubber products to sell across the world.
From flip-flops to rubber masterpieces —
Ocean Sole aims to recycle 400,000 flip-flops a year and turn them into rubber products to sell across the world.
www.ocean-sole.com
Ocean Sole's playful creations are sold in Kenya as well as in dozens of zoos, aquariums and stores in some 20 countries across the wold.
From flip-flops to rubber masterpieces —
Ocean Sole's playful creations are sold in Kenya as well as in dozens of zoos, aquariums and stores in some 20 countries across the wold.
www.ocean-sole.com