Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

In Uganda,about 150 tons of plastic waste are generated every day while it may require around 500 years for the earth to breakdown this waste. Well as pyrolysis can be applied to convert all types of plastic waste to fuel such as petrol,diesel,kerosene.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Plastics are large molecules called polymers,composed of repeated segments called monomers with carbon backbones. A polymer is simply a very large molecule made up of many smaller units joined together generally end to end to create a long chain. The smallest building block of a polymer is called a monomer. Polymers are divided into two distinct groups; thermoplastics (moldable) and thermo sets ( not moldable ). Of the 150 tons generated,60 tons remain uncollected and littered,as per the government reports.Pyrolysis is the heating of a substance in the absence of oxygen at high temperatures. In this case 430°c temperature is needed to convert all types of plastic waste to fuel such as petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG. By implementing this concept we can reduce 80-90% of the plastic waste and be able to provide 60% oil for various purposes. The fuel does not emit Sulphur dioxide. It increases machine efficiency. The 5% residue is obtained which is carbon block.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Plastics are a major threat to today's society and environment. Pyrolysis eradicates plastic waste from the environment once implemented because over 14 million tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans annually, killing about 1,000,000 species of oceanic life. This pollution chokes marine wildlife, damages soil and poisons groundwater. It can also cause serious health impacts such as respiratory diseases, asthma and cardiovascular disease. Plastic and it's resulting degradation to landscapes may cause severe mental health conditions including anxiety and depression.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

With this technology,poor plastic waste disposal can be solved while converting it into high value fuels. Industrial and automobile fuel requirements shall be fulfilled to some extent at lower prices. The volume of plastic waste is significantly reduced. No pollutants during the cracking of plastic waste. Pyrolysis is an eco friendly and desirable process as energy is obtained from renewable sources like municipal solid waste or sewage sludge. The crude oil produced by this process can be used for generation of electricity. The carbon block as a by product can be used in blast furnace hence reducing environmental effects

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

This project aims at serving the entire Ugandan society and the environment. Many people earn a living from collecting plastic waste,well as many will benefit from having access to cheaper fuels for use in various ways such as running industrial machines and vehicles at large. This project leaves the environment, pollution free from plastic waste and it's effects.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2022-06-16

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

They are fellow environmental engineers.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Go Plastic purchases plastic waste from local community members hence creating a source of income for many of them.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Given that Go Plastic obtains plastic waste at a cost from community members. This enables them to have income to purchase food stuffs for a living.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Income obtained from plastic waste sales enables members to access good medical services whenever they need so along other social services.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Income obtained from plastic waste sales enables community members to access quality education at cost from the nearby education centers

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

3

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The project is looking forward to expand it's partners with time inorder to meet the gender equality requirements.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Through solving the problem of poor plastic waste disposal, ground water pollution is reduced hence access to clean water at ground water sources like wells and boreholes.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

This project through the process of pyrolysis, plastic waste is converted into fuels which can be used for industrial and automobile purposes thus a reduction in the use of coal.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

The project provides income for local community members hence raising their standards of living.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

The products of this project can be used as substitutes for coal use in industrial processes.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

The project advocates for gender balance through providing job opportunities for all genders.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

The project reduces plastic waste pollution hence sustainable cities and communities.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Through the production of fuels from plastic wastes which act as a substitute for coal thus responsible consumption and production.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The project reduces the use of coal for energy production by producing fuels that act as a substitute.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

This project reduces pollution which would choke marine wildlife.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

The project reduces pollution which would degrade the landscape and may cause severe mental health conditions to humans

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

6

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

The project raises the local community members standards of living.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Sensitizing communities to join the fight against plastic wastes.

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

4

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

3

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

6

05.08 Justification

The fuel does not produce Sulphur dioxide.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

All other fuel producing companies but the new product does not produce Sulphur dioxide like others.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Sensitizing the community inorder to get female entrepreneurs on game.