The Lens
Zuripacks: Green Innovation for a Plastic-Free Future
An innovative solution addressing plastic pollution and agricultural waste.
By QS ImpACT
By making sustainable packaging both affordable and accessible, Zuripacks challenges the notion that eco-friendly solutions must come at a premium.
Plastic waste is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with millions of tonnes polluting land and water every year, choking ecosystems and endangering wildlife. Meanwhile, in banana-farming regions, thousands of tonnes of banana pseudostems, the fibrous stalks left after harvesting, are discarded as waste.
Recognising the intersection of these two global issues, Oliver Omondi, winner of the QS ImpACT Green Innovator Award 2024, developed an innovative solution to address both plastic pollution and agricultural waste.
Biodegradable packaging from banana waste
Omondi founded Zuripacks, a sustainable initiative that transforms banana pseudostems into biodegradable packaging. This innovative process repurposes agricultural by-products into strong, compostable, and cost-effective packaging solutions, reducing plastic waste while providing an economic boost to farmers.
Zuripacks works directly with local banana farmers, collecting pseudostems that were once considered agricultural waste. These fibres are extracted and processed into durable, biodegradable materials, which are then crafted into sustainable packaging solutions, including carrier bags and custom packaging for businesses looking for eco-friendly alternatives.
By making sustainable packaging both affordable and accessible, Zuripacks challenges the notion that eco-friendly solutions must come at a premium.
Their impact
Since its inception, Zuripacks has achieved significant milestones:
- 720 metric tons of banana crop waste repurposed into sustainable packaging materials
- 60 metric tons of plastic waste prevented from reaching landfills and waterways
- New income opportunities created for smallholder banana farmers who now earn from a previously discarded resource
For local farmers, this means not only additional revenue but also active participation in a sustainable circular economy that benefits their community as well as the planet.
While Zuripacks is currently a local initiative, it’s also a blueprint for sustainable packaging worldwide. The technology and processes behind it can be replicated in any region where banana crops or similar agricultural by-products are abundant. With the right investment and expansion, this model has the potential to revolutionise the packaging industry.
Why it matters
Omondi’s innovation is more than just an alternative to plastic. It is a practical, scalable, and environmentally responsible solution that empowers communities while tackling one of the world’s biggest waste problems. For his pioneering work, Omondi is the QS ImpACT Green Innovator of the Year 2024, proving that sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand to create a better future.
QS ImpACT is a UNEP accredited global charity registered in the UK and Whales. Our global community of young leaders grow and earn recognition for their positive impact on society. We connect universities, organizations and communities worldwide to develop young talent to lead through impact for a regenerative future. We recognize young people with Certificates, Badges, Scholarships and Awards. Last year, we impact over 112,000 people across 87 countries with over 2,100 community members and 50 Youth Ambassadors.
The culmination of the 2023 calendar year at QS ImpACT was marked by the prestigious QS ImpACT Awards, serving as our organization's flagship event. The overarching theme and mission of the awards were centred around the celebration of global regeneration.
It featured influential speeches and engaging discussions, showcasing the participation of distinguished leaders from the United Nations, Forbes 30 Under 30, and renowned global universities. A remarkable lineup of over 15 speakers and 16 judges contributed to the event's success, adding depth and value to the mission. The primary objective of the awards was to acknowledge and honour exceptional youth leaders spanning the globe, recognizing their remarkable contributions to community regeneration and transformation. After a rigorous evaluation, 45 finalists emerged from 18 different countries, with 8 emerging as winners.
Critical to the success of the event were the collaborative efforts with 15 impact partners, who played a pivotal role in supporting and enriching the journey towards creating a truly impactful and successful awards ceremony. The QS ImpACT Awards not only celebrated individual achievements but also fostered a collective spirit of regeneration.