Nzambi Matee recognized two massive problems in Nairobi, Kenya. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first was mounds of discarded plastic piled in ditches, rivers, fields, beaches, and roads. The second was an acute need for housing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With her new start-up, she\u2019s solving both. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bright & Brilliant<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nzambi exudes warmth. She\u2019s an animated speaker with an enthusiastic smile and clear voice. She draws you in with her subject matter expertise; the 29 year old engineer has a background in biochemistry, pure and applied physics, and material science. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a Nairobi native, she was all too familiar with the waste problem–Kenya\u2019s capital produces over 2,400 tons of waste each day. Less than half<\/a> of this plastic is recycled, the majority is littered throughout communities or dumped in the 30-acre-wide Dandora landfill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet, Nzambi Matee had an idea and the courage to try it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As she puts it, \u201cIt was time I stopped sitting [on] the sidelines and waiting for other people to do something about plastic, and let me just do something.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n