MKU graduate turns to collecting glass bottles after 6 years of unemployment, shares his earnings

• After year of joblessness despite graduating from MKU, a young man from Mtwapa turned to collecting and recycling glass bottles
• James Julo said he was forced to explore alternative sources of income after facing stigma due to his disability while job hunting
• Julo also shared how much he earns monthly from selling waste glass and the income generated from the business

A 27-year-old man from Mtwapa in Kilifi County has become an inspiration to many unemployed graduates in his region after finding a way to make ends meet.

James Julo, a graduate in Community Health and HIV from Mount Kenya University, resorted to collecting and selling used glass bottles, a business he says has kept him afloat.

He graduated in 2020 and has not been able to secure stable employment six years later, prompting him to find alternative ways of generating income.

Being a person with albinism, he shared how he has faced stigma, with some people doubting his ability to work due to his eyesight challenges and disability.

“I went through school, passed, and got my papers, but an employer would look at me and ask if I was competent enough for the job after noticing my disability,” he explained.

Explaining his work, Julo noted that he collects used glass bottles, crushes them into tiny pieces, and sells them to waste companies.

How much does James Julo earn recycling glass bottles?

In a month, he revealed that he sells about 15 to 20 tonnes of glass, which earns him enough money to sustain himself.

“I get KSh 2.50 per kilogram, and when we take them to the company, they pay us KSh 7.50,” he stated.

The business started small, and he would only use gloves while breaking bottles by hand.

Over the years, however, the business has grown, and he has acquired a machine that he uses to crush the glass bottles, making his work easier and more efficient.

Moreover, he now makes usable glass products from the bottles, which he sells to various hotels in Mtwapa.

Julo also revealed that he has been able to buy land from the proceeds of his business and hopes to expand and employ other unemployed youth.

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“I want to bring interested youth on board, those with disabilities and even women who would be interested, so that we can create employment and grow together,” he shared.

To him, recycling glass is not only a means of livelihood but also a true example that even what is considered useless can still bring value to one’s life.

Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS