Grogenics

Connor Greaux-Taylor has been selected as part of UNICEF Innovation30: Young Innovators Shaping the Future.

Countries of Solution Deployment: Saint Kitts and Nevis

Innovation Accelerator: World Economic Forum UpLink, Switzerland

The Caribbean islands are often hit by sargassum seaweed and its harmful hydrogen sulfide gas, which has been proven to exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis in children.  Young innovator Connor Greaux-Taylor, 20, has experienced it first-hand after moving back from university in Canada to his home country of St. Kitts Island to work as a travel director for a local agency. 

After the pandemic, Connor decided to act by joining Grogenics and devoting himself to protecting the majestic oceanic environment of his homeland. Today, he is the project director of Grogenics, an innovative enterprise that converts sargassum from a health hazard to organic compost for soil amendment using lightweight, low-emission equipment.   

Grogenics tackles the sargassum problem by using lightweight fork equipment for harvesting. With their innovative technique, Connor and his team decreased sand removal by 40 per cent compared to using heavy machinery while creating job opportunities for young people. Furthermore, they minimize beach erosion and save sea life trapped in the sand. The harvested sargassum is blended with local green waste and evolved into a compost, primed to nourish and enrich the soil.      

In 2023, the largest-ever blooms of sargassum seaweed expanded from South Florida all the way to the Caribbean islands. Due to climate change and pollution, sargassum waves will keep increasing exponentially. Converting a severe and dangerous material into fertiliser is an investment opportunity with huge potential.    

With Grogenics, Connor and his team have already harvested 1000 tonnes of sargassum, contributing significantly to preserving the oceanic environment and reducing sargassum fumes.