In the heart of Nairobi's Kawangware slums, a youth group has found fortune the least expected commodity; waste paper.

And this group has managed to put a high-end shopping bag into the market in effort that could be replicated anywhere.

While Kawangware is commonly known for environmental degradation; a group of 60 young people is turning waste paper into a source of livelihood.

"The poverty around here made our members -- mostly street children, orphans and vulnerable youth -- not only turn to this income generating activity but also choose to develop life skills," said Mr Augusto Githaiga, the project manager.

Named Kawangware Street Children and Youth Project (KSCYP), the group was formed in 2001 and has since grown from a single member, to 66 youths who are now earning an income from making environmentally friendly products from recycled paper.

After being registered as a community based organization, the group is now focused on benefiting from the poor waste-paper disposal habits of Kawangware residents and seem to be wishing even more dumping can happen so that their business can grow.

"I saw the need to start a youth project based on our experiences in the environment in which we grew up ... what would be better than waste paper?" asked Mr Githaiga.

According to Mr Githaiga, an economic project started with the environment of the target group in mind has a higher chance of success and growth into profitability.

Due to the high demand for the bags, and the groups incapacity to recycle enough paper for production processes, the group has now partnered with Mufindi Paper Limited, to supply it with the deficit. "We purchase an additional 1200 kilograms of recycled per month," said Mr Githaiga.

High end market

The group makes between 700 and 1000 bags for the high-end market daily.

"The market is there but our production line is limited due to our weak financial capacity. We sell bags to safari and tour firms, fashion and boutiques shops and corporate organizations," said Mr Githaiga

The group says that since the establishment of its website, they have grown their sales by 150 per cent.

"We have a simple website which since its inception in 2005 expanded our market by 150 per cent both locally and internationally".

The bags are priced depending on their size, logo, design prints and range from about Sh15 to Sh70 each.

The running of the project entirely depends on proceeds from sales of the bags.

"We are thinking of hiring more youths but as you can see, we already have inadequate space to accommodate them," said Mr Githaiga.

The group plans to acquire a bigger premises to be used as a workshop, offices, and for other youth programs.

"This expansion will enable us to increase our profits, and expand our program offerings to new areas such as small-scale agriculture, new environmental programs, feeding programs, recreation and enrichment programs for children," added Mr Githaiga.

The paper recycling efforts come at a time when firms are adopting green energy and recycling to cut costs to help conserve the environment.

Green practices encourage conservation of energy and resources like electricity, water and forests.

In Kenya, some companies are embracing the initiative with the aim of improving revenue by cost-cutting while channelling the benefits of green practices to communities.

Just last week the group landed a contract to supply Alibhai Shariff Builders World with 3000 bags every month -- for use by shoppers.

"We are supporting the project by purchasing environmentally friendly shopping bags made from recycled waste paper for use by our shoppers," said Mr Rafiq Shariff, MD of Alibhai Shariff Builders World.

Early this month, the City Council of Nairobi announced a Sh3 billion plan to centralise garbage collection as it seeks to reduce the city's garbage pile and generate cheaper electricity and cooking gas from the waste.

The project -- which is set for completion in 2015, is sponsored by the Japanese government and will see the creation of a single garbage collection point at Ruai and the closure of 74 dumping sites spread across the city, says city mayor Godfrey Majiwa.

The single waste collection point is aimed at attracting investors who have been discouraged from using garbage for income generation due to lack of volumes.

It is estimated that Nairobi's daily garbage and sewage output is about 2,000 tonnes, but only 33 per cent is collected.