UniPod Malawi is proud to highlight the work of Emma Steinke, an innovator who is
developing a solar-powered glass tumbler aimed at tackling glass waste in Cape Maclear, a rural lakeshore community in Mangochi District.
According to Emma’s project findings, Cape Maclear has accumulated over 200 tons of
glass waste, largely generated by tourists who frequently consume imported beverages.This high volume of waste makes traditional recycling and reuse efforts difficult and often ineffective.

After developing her initial prototype, Emma chose UniPod as the ideal space to further refine her prototype. With the goal of enhancing both functionality and sustainability, she incorporated solar energy, ensuring the tumbler aligns with environmentally friendly design principles.

Cape Maclear is not only a valuable tourism destinatio, its cultural and natural
significance has earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. With this in mind, UniPod Malawi is pleased to provide Emma with dedicated mentorship and access to its state-of-the-art machinery to help bring her innovative solution to life.

Through supporting projects like Emma’s, UniPod Malawi continues to promote
innovations that go beyond prototype creation, championing market-ready products that deliver meaningful, long-term impact.