How waste glass is being transformed into art, livelihoods, and a circular future in Kenya
Photo Story | Ethical Business
Just past Nairobi National Park, in a compound of domed kilns and open-air studios, discarded glass finds new form. At Kitengela Glass, broken bottles and window panes are sorted by hand, crushed, and melted in roaring furnaces—then mouth-blown, cast in cement, or cut into mosaics.
This photo story traces the full arc of that transformation: from roadside waste to crafted object. In a city where most waste disappears into dumpsites, Kitengela offers a different vision—circular, visible, and made to last.
📸 1. Waste with Potential
Every day, tonnes of glass waste are discarded across Nairobi—often ending up in dumpsites or drainage systems. But in Kitengela, this waste is viewed not as a problem, but as raw material.
📸 2. Sorting for a Second Life
📸 3. From Shards to Molten Art
The sorted shards are crushed into cullet and melted in high-temperature kilns powered by electric or hybrid systems. At this stage, recycled glass becomes liquid—ready to be reborn.
Artisans control temperature and flow with care—turning waste into a medium for expression.
📸 4. Craftsmanship in Action
From chandeliers to mosaic wall art, glassblowers and designers bring the recycled material to life. Each item carries the story of circular creativity, and no two pieces are ever exactly the same.
📸 5. Circular Economy on Display
The final products—tiles, lamps, glasses, beads—are sold at local markets, eco-resorts, and exported internationally. Profits support local livelihoods and reinvest in the community.
Kitengela’s circular economy model shows how waste can drive inclusive, green development.
Style meets substance in this bold fusion of French technique and Kenyan ingenuity. Using Dalle de Verre—glass cast in a cement and steel matrix—Kitengela Glass crafts vibrant, ultra-durable panels for walls, floors, furniture, and sculpture.
🪟 Built to dazzle. Made to last.
Hand-blown from 100% recycled glass in Kitengela, this jug carries more than water—it carries a vision. What once lined Nairobi’s waste streams now graces your table as a functional work of art. No two pieces are alike.
💧 Locally made. Waste-free. Infinitely refillable.
Mouth-blown from recycled glass, this jug transforms everyday waste into timeless function. Perfect for water, juice—or simply making a statement at your table. Each jug is uniquely Kenyan, shaped by fire, skill, and circular design.
💧 100% Recycled. 100% Local.
Made from hundreds of hand-shaped, recycled glass droplets, the Do Drop In chandelier is more than lighting—it’s storytelling in midair. Each suspended piece catches the light and reminds us that beauty can rise from waste.
✨ Upcycled. Handcrafted. Unmistakably Kitengela.
This hand-blown glass gift set—crafted from 100% recycled glass in Kitengela—is more than a present. It’s a celebration of Kenyan artistry, circular design, and timeless beauty. Each piece is unique, just like the person you’re gifting it to.
🎁 Sustainably made. Locally crafted. Infinitely meaningful.
Timeless in design, handcrafted in Kenya. Made from 100% recycled glass, the Classic Bowl blends everyday utility with circular elegance. Perfect for serving, display, or simply starting a conversation around sustainable living.
🌍 Classic never looked so conscious.
Handcrafted from reclaimed metal and glass, this miniature bee celebrates nature’s tiniest changemaker. A symbol of regeneration and resilience, each piece is a tribute to circular creativity in the heart of Kitengela.
🐝 Made from scrap. Built to inspire.
🔄 What We Learned
Kitengela Glass is more than an art hub—it’s a working model of how local innovation, waste recovery, and artisan skills can build a regenerative economy.
It’s proof that Africa’s circular future is not only possible, but already unfolding.
This hand-blown vase from Kitengela Glass brings elegance to any space—with a conscience. Made from 100% recycled glass, it’s a celebration of circular design, crafted with fire, skill, and a touch of Kenyan soul.
🌿 Perfect for flowers, branches—or standing proudly on its own.
💬 Who are the circular artisans in your community?
📢 Share this story and tag a Kenyan upcycler or green innovator.
#EthicalBusinessAfrica #KitengelaGlass #CircularNairobi #WasteToWealth
