Rubis Energy Kenya partners with Ocean Sole to turn waste into art

KENYA – Rubis Energy Kenya has entered into a landmark partnership with Ocean Sole Africa Ltd, a social enterprise renowned for transforming discarded flip-flops into vibrant works of art.

The collaboration aims to inspire collective environmental responsibility by converting waste into valuable creative resources while generating sustainable employment across the country.

Under the initiative, Rubis will establish flip-flop collection points at its service stations nationwide, turning these outlets into active hubs for Kenya’s circular economy.

The move encourages communities to participate directly in recycling efforts, helping reduce plastic waste that often ends up in waterways and landfills.

Olivier Sabrié, CEO of East Africa and Group Managing Director of Rubis Energy Kenya, said the partnership underscores the company’s long-term sustainability vision.

“This partnership reflects our belief that sustainability must begin with people. It’s about keeping jobs local, supporting communities, and helping the Kenyan economy thrive through creativity and innovation,” Sabrié explained.

“By integrating Ocean Sole’s artistry with Rubis’ national presence, we are building a homegrown solution to plastic pollution, one that creates employment, drives awareness, and celebrates the power of Kenyan creativity. It is more than a CSR initiative; it is a business and community imperative.”

Joe Mwakiremba, Head of Global Sales at Ocean Sole, described the collaboration as a model for corporate-social enterprise partnerships.

“For years, Ocean Sole has been driven by the mission to clean our oceans and create sustainable jobs. This partnership with Rubis is a monumental step forward, a model of how corporations and social enterprises can unite to drive meaningful, lasting change,” he said.

“Together, we’re turning pollution into purpose and showing that waste can indeed be a source of beauty and opportunity.”

The Rubis–Ocean Sole partnership adds to a growing trend of corporate–social collaborations focused on circular innovation in Africa.

Similar initiatives include Safaricom’s collaboration with Bottle Logistics to collect e-waste for recycling and Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s PETCO Kenya program, which promotes plastic bottle recovery and reuse.

By transforming service stations into sustainability centers and supporting creative recycling, Rubis Energy Kenya and Ocean Sole are setting a powerful precedent, demonstrating that environmental stewardship and economic empowerment can go hand in hand.

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