Ocean Sole - Flip The Flop!
Ocean Sole is an amazing social enterprise that turns discarded flip flops from the coast of Kenya into incredible art! Their designs are created to raise awareness about plastic waste and the effects it has on our oceans and marine life, but also to be a fun addition to your home or workplace.
It is estimated that an average of 13,000 pieces of plastic and synthetic materials (flip-flops) are floating on every square kilometer of ocean. Since 1998 Ocean Sole has cleaned up over 1,000 tonnes of flip-flops from the ocean and waterways.
By turning waste into these amazing creations, Ocean Sole is supporting over 900 low income Kenyans in the social enterprise and extended supply chain and donate over 10% of their sales to marine conservation. Last year Ocean sole moved to an art and cultural village and started working with UNEP, UNESCO, UNDP and UNIC on a three year mission to focus on conservation entrepreneurship and supporting local Kenyans with recycling programmes.
FROM THIS...
...TO THIS
HOW ARE THE SCULPTURES MADE?
The Flip Flops are collected by workers and volunteers from the shores of the Kenyan coast, are consolidated locally and are sent to Ocean Sole's factory
The Flip-flops arrive covered in oil, sand and dirt but are rinsed and scrubbed clean using eco-detergent. The clean flip flops are then sorted by colour
Next the Ocean Sole artists prepare the flip flops by joining pieces together with EU conforming glue to create a block which is the basis for the sculpture
Once dry the block is then hand carved into amazing animal shapes. The shapes are then sanded to create a smooth finish and the final touches are added
EXAMPLES OF THEIR AMAZING CREATIONS:
OCEAN SOLE: 60 SECOND DOCUMENTARY
1 comment
This is a very good description of what we do Josie – so glad you like the project!