Bank Street Journal
  • Business
  • Politics
  • World
  • Investing
  • Business
  • Politics
  • World
  • Investing
No Result
View All Result
Bank Street Journal
No Result
View All Result
Home World

This Rwandan entrepreneur turns discarded tires into fashionable footwear

March 14, 2025
in World
This Rwandan entrepreneur turns discarded tires into fashionable footwear
0
SHARES
1
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Every year, about one billion tires around the world reach the end of their life according to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Many of them end up piled in landfills posing potential health and environmental risks. In Africa, one Rwandan entrepreneur has found a way to upcycle the rubber to create fashionable footwear.

While studying creative design at the University of Rwanda, Kevine Kagirimpundu felt she had limited employment options, so she took matters into her own hands. She began researching how to make her own products and stumbled upon the idea of using old tires for shoe soles.

In 2013, she and her friend Ysolde Shimwe officially launched Uzuri K&Y, a name incorporating the founders’ initials and a Swahili word meaning beauty and goodness. The eco-friendly shoe brand offers a range of handcrafted sandals for men, women and children.

“We wanted to be different but also be part of the problem-solving process because Rwanda at the time was banning plastic bags, which was such a huge inspiration for us. So, we thought how do we play a part in that and how do we contribute?” Kagirimpundu said. “We thought this creates something that would become a source of income for ourselves but also for other young people like us.”

In 2008, the government banned the manufacturing, importation and use of plastic polyethylene bags, and took a step further in 2019 by prohibiting single-use plastics, like straws, bottles, and containers. As CEO and managing director, Kagirimpundu says the brand’s mission aligns with Rwanda’s efforts to cut back on waste.

The company buys tires from local landfills and makes the sandals in its Kigali production facility. When running at full capacity, Kagirimpundu says it can produce more than 4,500 pairs of sandals a month, which it sells online and in several stores across Rwanda and Nairobi, Kenya.

A report from the Rwanda Environment Management Authority found the country discarded more than 5,000 tons of tires in 2022. Kagirimpundu said to date Uzuri K&Y has removed 10 metric tons of rubber from landfills in Rwanda.

Still, the CEO believes the company’s human impact is just as important as the environmental aspect: “We had to create a business that actually became a source of employment for women,” she said.

Empowering women

Reflecting on the company’s humble beginnings, Kagirimpundu said one of the biggest challenges was a lack of skilled labor. “Nobody knew how to make shoes,” she said, so she decided to set up a training program to teach locals the skills they need to become artisans and entrepreneurs.

Kagirimpundu says 1,500 young people have gone through the program, about 70% of them women. She added that it’s “priceless” to give a woman a steady income when Rwanda has an unemployment rate of 13%, 14.5% for women.

“It’s the whole collective of women working together to create something big, something important,” she said.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

Previous Post

Hamas says it is willing to release US-Israeli hostage and bodies of four dual nationals

Next Post

Accounts of child survivors shed light on surge of rape and sexual violence in conflict-torn DRC

Next Post
Accounts of child survivors shed light on surge of rape and sexual violence in conflict-torn DRC

Accounts of child survivors shed light on surge of rape and sexual violence in conflict-torn DRC

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent News

    Russian minister dies by suicide hours after getting fired by Putin, officials say

    Russian minister dies by suicide hours after getting fired by Putin, officials say

    July 8, 2025
    ‘We have to keep growing:’ Mother of killed Israeli hostage in battle to have a grandchild with his harvested sperm

    ‘We have to keep growing:’ Mother of killed Israeli hostage in battle to have a grandchild with his harvested sperm

    July 8, 2025
    King Charles to emphasize bonds between UK and France as he welcomes Macron in first European state visit since Brexit

    King Charles to emphasize bonds between UK and France as he welcomes Macron in first European state visit since Brexit

    July 8, 2025
    US champions Lebanon’s response to Hezbollah disarmament, hints at Abraham Accords opportunity

    US champions Lebanon’s response to Hezbollah disarmament, hints at Abraham Accords opportunity

    July 8, 2025
    Disclaimer: bankstreetjournal.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Popular

    Questcorp Mining Engages Marketing Consulting Firm Spark Newswire

    Questcorp Mining Engages Marketing Consulting Firm Spark Newswire

    July 2, 2025

    Jp Cortez: Is America’s Gold Really There? US Needs Full Audit of Reserves

    Jp Cortez: Is America’s Gold Really There? US Needs Full Audit of Reserves

    June 17, 2025

    Recent News

    Russian minister dies by suicide hours after getting fired by Putin, officials say

    Russian minister dies by suicide hours after getting fired by Putin, officials say

    July 8, 2025
    ‘We have to keep growing:’ Mother of killed Israeli hostage in battle to have a grandchild with his harvested sperm

    ‘We have to keep growing:’ Mother of killed Israeli hostage in battle to have a grandchild with his harvested sperm

    July 8, 2025
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Copyright © 2024 BankStreetJournal.com | All Rights Reserved

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Business
    • Politics
    • World
    • Investing

    Copyright © 2024 BankStreetJournal.com | All Rights Reserved