Ocean Sole: flipping the flop
In 1998, the problem of washed-up flip-flops in Kiwayu caught the attention of Julie Church, the founder of Ocean Sole. By 1999, she had launched a community project to collect and transform these discarded flip-flops into art. Initially, this was done on a small scale, but with the support of Nic&Mic in 2014, Ocean Sole expanded to employ as many as 70 people. Today, you can find Ocean Sole art in international stores and vibrant giraffes made from old flip-flops decorating hotel lobbies.
In recent years, Ocean Sole has also been working to raise global awareness of flip-flop pollution. With Kenya alone collecting 300 kilograms of discarded flip-flops
every day, the scale of the problem worldwide is staggering.
From washed-up flip-flops to doorstops
Flip-flops are collected from all over—Kenyan beaches, rivers, city streets, and even massive landfill sites. Locals like Nelson and Mercy regularly bring their collected flip-flops to Ocean Sole. Alongside their regular jobs, they collect flip-flops to earn extra income, getting paid per kilo. The flip-flops then go through a process: sorters separate them, washers clean them, and block makers—like Mary Kavindu—turn them into colourful blocks. These blocks then go to skilled carvers, who craft them into items such as heart-shaped doorstops and striking giraffes.
Esther Mutheu started at Ocean Sole years ago, initially cleaning incoming flip-flops. After some time making blocks for other carvers, she has now become a carver herself.
Even those who deliver flip-flops daily benefit from the opportunities Ocean Sole provides. They are encouraged to open a bank account where their earnings are deposited monthly. As Katie explains, this simple step makes a huge difference. Daily payments often disappear on small expenses like a can of cola, but with monthly payments, people can save for more significant needs—like school fees for their children.
Future plans
With several flip-flop collection points now established across Kenya, Ocean Sole is gradually exploring opportunities to expand into other countries. Egypt, for example, faces a similar problem, with countless flip-flops washing up and contributing to pollution just as they do in Kenya. Every day, around 100,000 flip-flops are produced in Kenya alone! This is a massive global issue because, let’s be honest—flip-flops are incredibly convenient. They’re cheap, easy to wear, and comfortable to walk in. Every season brings new funky colours, and people keep buying them over and over again. Ocean Sole’s ultimate goal is to set up flip-flop upcycling initiatives like theirs in every country, ensuring a sustainable solution to this widespread problem.
Sustainability
At Ocean Sole, it’s all about upcycling. Every year, they recycle
one million flip-flops, transforming them into vibrant works of art—equivalent to 4,705 large lions or 100,000 small giraffes. This means significantly less plastic floating in the ocean, improving the habitat for countless marine and land animals. At the same time, this circular economy creates new jobs, allowing Ocean Sole’s 72 employees to support their families—benefiting a total of 700 people who now enjoy a better quality of life.
Sustainability at Charlie’s Travels
We believe in taking care of our planet. In Kenya, we maintain close ties with organisations like Ocean Sole—whether through collaboration or simply showcasing the incredible projects happening here. One of our key partners is
JustDiggit, an organisation dedicated to greening the African continent. JustDiggit sees nature as a solution to climate change, restoring land and planting vegetation to help reduce CO₂ emissions. For every trip you book with us, a portion of the proceeds goes to JustDiggit or one of our other eco-friendly partners. This helps us keep our footprint as small as possible and ensures our travels are as climate-friendly as they can be.
Want to know more?
Curious about our sustainability efforts, or ready to experience the magic of Kenya for yourself? Get in touch via our
chat or check out our
sustainability page and
Kenya page! Want to take home a life-sized giraffe after your trip but worried about fitting it in your hand luggage? No worries—you can order one through their Dutch partner for quick and easy home delivery! 😊
