Expert finds revolutionary solution to reduce plastic waste

By Hauwa Ali
 
A Rwandan national, Yvette Ishimwe, has made a significant contribution to reduction of plastic waste by founding a water dispenser project in Kigali, which enables millions of people to have access to clean water, while reducing  the purchase of bottled water, a major cause of plastic pollution.
 
Yvette Ishimwe, the founder of IRIBA water group started out by providing clean water to rural and urban communities in reusable cups at affordable prices.
 
According to her, her desire is to address the shortage of safe drinking water.
 
“ Clean water is a serious issue in Rwanda. For example, I’d give you simple numbers. Like in sub saharan Africa alone, 319 million people are without affordable access to clean water. If we still have up to 319 million people without clean water access,  then that is a serious issue.” Ishimwe said.
 
Emanating from an idea in 2018, the company installs water dispensers in urban communities, especially in high traffic areas such as markets, public parks and others.
 
 “The purpose of this project is to give people access to clean water, especially those who don’t have access to it. We target basically low income people, like our ATMs in public places, in markets, in car parking stations, we are targeting low income people who can’t afford bottled water, ” she explains.
 
The IRIBA group has also solved the problem of  Dehydration and difficulty in finding drinking water in schools by installing water dispensers in schools through its subsidiary – IRIBA tap and drink.
 
Each student is expected to pay approximately $2 subscription for access to drinking water provided by the IRIBA group.
 
“Many schools don’t have clean water facilities. Students are just drinking water from the tap which is not safe for drinking. They have issues with diarrhoea and typhoid and different other diseases that come from drinking contaminated water, ” Ishimwe said.
 
The group’s action has no doubt significantly increased access to drinking water for the most disadvantaged as well as contributing to a cleaner environment by drastically reducing the sale of disposable bottled water.
 
Around the world, Water ways are choked with plastic pollution that often ends up in the oceans.
 
Rwanda was the first country on the continent to ban single-use plastic in the quest to achieve a cleaner environment.
 
The Minister for Environment, Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya had called upon the global private sector to play a major role in ending plastic pollution worldwide.

The call was part of the Rwanda’s statement during the 5th session of the United National Environment Assembly, in Nairobi, Kenya.
 
This initiative by Yvette Ishime no doubt, complements  the government’s effort at achieving  a plastic-waste free environment and has been lauded by many, including the queen of England.