Rajat Kumar, Air France-KLM’s Country Manager in Tanzania, helps a student at Tanzania's Kilimanjaro International Airport Primary School wear his new bag made from recycled billboard vinyl. The bags were produced and donated in an Air France-KLM initiative that seeks to underscore the importance of education and environmental conservation in local communities.
NAIROBI, Kenya, December 5, 2024
A group of cyclists has successfully completed a four-day ride from Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, carrying bags made from recycled Air France-KLM billboard canvases.
These specially designed school bags and pouches, made from repurposed vinyl tarpaulins that would otherwise contribute to waste, were distributed to children from underprivileged communities in Kilimanjaro.
This initiative is part of Air France-KLM’s ongoing efforts to support education in underserved areas while also promoting sustainability. The bags, which are both durable and eco-friendly, will help ensure that the beneficiary children have access to essential school supplies, while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of discarded advertising materials.
Transforming large-scale billboard canvases into functional, high-quality bags helps prevent these materials from ending up in landfills, giving them a second life in support of a good cause.
The 72 bags and pouches were formally received in Kilimanjaro by Air France-KLM country Manager Tanzania, Rajat Kumar, and the region’s administrative leaders.
The bags were distributed to students of the Kilimanjaro International Airport Primary School, providing them with a sturdy and practical solution to carry their books and other supplies.
“These cyclists did not just deliver items; they delivered dreams, inspiration, and the message that they matter. Their dedication and effort has bridged the gap between our brand vision and the young minds that will benefit from the bags. The initiative is expected to leave a lasting impact on the educational journey of the beneficiary students. It is also an inspiration to others to think about the role they can play in protecting our environment; the bags represent our collective effort to promote sustainability, to reuse and repurpose, and to ensure that we leave a better world for the next generation,” said Kumar.
Billboards, which are commonly made from durable vinyl, are often discarded once their advertising campaigns come to an end. This results in significant waste that can be difficult to dispose of responsibly.
By recycling these materials, Air France-KLM helps combat the environmental issue of waste management contributing to the development of a more sustainable future. The team of cyclists ferrying the recycled material school bags are part of a unique effort to draw attention and support for the cause.
As they made their way from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro, they also spread the message of sustainability and the importance of collective responsibility in helping those in need.
Tanzania becomes the second country in Africa to receive the eco-friendly school bags this year, after a similar donation to students in Kenya’s Muthangari Primary School in February.
