Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

My project focuses on plastic upcycling in Uganda, transforming plastic waste into valuable products. This initiative aims to reduce environmental pollution, create jobs, and responsible and sustainable waste management.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

In Uganda, plastic waste is a major environmental issue, causing pollution in both urban and rural areas. My project aims to tackle this problem by promoting plastic upcycling, which involves collecting and transforming discarded plastic materials into useful products such as building materials, clothing(yarn) furniture, and art pieces. The project involves collecting the plastic from the streets, markets and landfills then this plastic sorted and threaded. this is then molded using heat depending on the desired shape of required materials. By turning waste into valuable items, we aim to reduce pollution, create job opportunities, and raise awareness about the importance of recycling and environmental conservation. Through this initiative, we hope to create a cleaner environment and a more sustainable future for Uganda.

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

The primary problem my project seeks to address is the rampant plastic waste pollution in Uganda. Plastic waste is a pressing issue as it is littering streets, clogging drainage systems, and contaminating water bodies. This pollution not only destroys the aesthetic beauty of urban and rural areas but also poses significant health risks to both humans and wildlife. Improper disposal and burning of plastic waste release toxic fumes, contributing to respiratory problems and other health issues. Additionally, plastic waste disrupts ecosystems, harming animals that ingest or become entangled in it. The lack of effective waste management systems exacerbates the problem, as there are limited facilities for recycling and proper disposal. By focusing on plastic upcycling, my project aims to mitigate these environmental and health impacts by reducing the volume of plastic waste and promoting sustainable waste management practices.

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

Firstly, by upcycling plastic waste, we significantly reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills and natural environments, thereby mitigating pollution and its associated health risks. Secondly, the project creates economic opportunities for local communities. By employing young people to work the machines used in manufacturing the products and also it will provide income to end retail or whole seller of the products. It is also a source of government revenue used to improve service delivery thus promoting industrialization. Lastly, the project promotes environmental awareness and education. Through establishing the venture, it motivates young people to run similar business in green entrepreneurship thus it educates people about the importance of recycling and responsible waste management, fostering a culture of sustainability and environmental stewardship.

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

The primary beneficiaries of this project are people in Gulu city and surrounding cities in Uganda, particularly those living in urban areas as they are heavily affected by plastic pollution. This includes low-income families who can benefit from the economic opportunities created by upcycling activities. Additionally, women and youth are key targets, as they often face higher barriers to employment and economic participation. By providing employment and resources, the project empowers these groups, promoting gender equality and youth engagement. Furthermore, the broader community benefits from a cleaner and healthier environment, as reduced plastic pollution leads to improved public health and living conditions. In particular, part of the beneficiaries is the city council(runs the landfill), construction projects, toddler mothers, cloth business owners, schools and homes for furniture.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-01-01

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

0

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

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

No partners are available yet.

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?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Plastic upcycling creates job opportunities in collection, sorting, processing, and selling upcycled products, which can reduce poverty levels. In this aspect, we can employ people from the community to collect the plastics that are disposed of on the streets. People can also be employed once the establishment has been done, these will participate in the sorting and manufacturing of other products from the plastics. Some people can be employed in the sales and marketing departments. All of these people will be able to earn income from the business.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

By providing an additional income source, plastic upcycling can improve food security for families involved in the business. The people in community who are hired or employed by the project can then earn income to enable them to support their families. This will reduce hunger in these communities as people will be able to afford various foods thus proper nutrition.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Reducing plastic waste can lead to a cleaner environment, lowering the incidence of diseases related to pollution and waste management. When plastics are disposed of in the environment, they breakdown to form microplastics and these are mixed in different food products and water sources especially open water sources. As a result, these will end up in the human diet then cause diseases once ingested such as cancers. If collected from the environment, there is a cleaner ecosystem.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Income generated from plastic upcycling can be used to fund educational expenses for children, improving access to education. This can be through charitable contributions for the social good or through the employees and everyone involved in the production process and is earning money from the upcycling process. These people can then be able to support their children through school with the income they earn from the project thus increasing access to education.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Plastic upcycling projects often involve women, empowering them economically and promoting gender equality. Women are usually employed at the final stage of the business which is sales and marketing. Women can be involved in the selling of the finished products, especially the yarn made from plastics, chairs, children's toys etc. This can be a source of income for them and thus empowering them by increasing their access to their basic needs in society.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

6

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Proper waste management through upcycling reduces plastic pollution in water bodies, improving water quality. Plastic usually end-up in open water sources, these can be wells, lakes, rivers, etc. once there, the physical abrasion causes them to breakdown and produce micro-plastics that in turn contaminate the water and make it unsafe for drinking. Therefore, by collecting them from the water sources and from community, these can reduce the risk of contamination of community water sources.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

5

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

While plastic upcycling doesn't directly impact energy, the processes can encourage innovation in energy-efficient technologies.

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 industry creates new job opportunities and fosters economic activities that contribute to economic growth. This will also reduce on the levels of unemployed youth in the community as they will be employed and also they can also start up a similar venture.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Plastic upcycling promotes innovation in materials and products, supporting industrial growth. From the establishment of the venture, the business will be registered and in turn taxed as required, this alone is a source of revenue for government. this revenue is used to construct roads and also extend resources to other areas. Also, by establishing a production center for this will promote urbanization in the areas where it will be as electricity will be necessitated as well as clean water thus developing the areas and promoting industrialization.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

By providing income-generating opportunities for marginalized groups, plastic upcycling helps in reducing economic inequalities. Different people will have access to employment and income and additionally a no discrimination policy will help to ensure equality in the venture once established. This will guide employment and business partnerships with different kinds of people.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Upcycling plastic waste contributes to cleaner and more sustainable urban environments. By collecting the plastics that are wrongly disposed of in marketplaces, city areas and streets, this can contribute to cleaner cities and environments. This will be very important to Uganda as we are having a plastic management problem.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Plastic upcycling directly addresses responsible consumption by recycling waste into useful products. In this manner, consumers can easily dispose of the plastic in the respective places or points that we shall have set up around the city. This will improve the consumption and prevent littering. It will also create awareness to people and ensure that they advocate for the recycling of plastics generally. Due to failed policies to get rid of plastic production in Uganda, the awareness will be very important.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Upcycling reduces the amount of plastic waste, thus lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic production and disposal. The production process incolves alot of energy consumption to run the machines in oil mines and also the disposal involves combustion which directly produces greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and Sulphur dioxides. These increase the atmospheric reactions that then form acidic rains and also contribute to the increase in global warming, an effect that is caused by gases forming heavier clouds and these increase the heat absorption and thus the warming effect.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

By reducing plastic waste, upcycling helps protect marine life and water quality. There has been evidence that disposing plastics in the oceans and other water bodies affects marine life. These are suffocated by the plastics or trapped in between the plastics which in end leads to starvation as they cannot get free from the entangled plastics. Collecting these reduces their presence in water bodies and thus lesser effect of marine life.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Upcycling reduces land pollution and protects terrestrial ecosystems from plastic waste. When plastics are removes from the environment, this reduces the water pollution and also environmental pollution that happens from their combustion. This in turn preserves the ecosystem as there is reduced pollution by reusing the upcycling the plastics.

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

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Plastic upcycling projects often involve collaborations between governments, NGOs, and businesses, fostering partnerships. This will promote the SDG number 17 once the project is successful and impactful as these partnerships will increase employment rates and also benefit the venture.

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

6

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

5

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

5

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

6

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

The project's innovation lies in its approach to tackling plastic waste through upcycling, turning waste materials into valuable products. Unlike traditional recycling, upcycling adds value to the waste by transforming it into high-quality, marketable items such as building materials, furniture, and art pieces. This not only addresses the problem of plastic pollution but also creates new economic opportunities. The project also leverages innovative training programs and workshops to equip community members with the skills needed to upcycle plastic waste effectively. By introducing creative and sustainable solutions to waste management, the project promotes a circular economy where waste is minimized, and resources are continuously repurposed. This innovative approach not only mitigates environmental impact but also empowers the community economically and fosters a culture of sustainability and creativity.

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

Takataka plastics, Gulu City. What sets us apart is the products we are making, whereas the products are similar as well as the processes to making them, we are to use sorting technology to ensure density sorting to prevent low quality products especially in our construction materials. We are also to make yarn, which they are not making and thus not tapping into the fashion business which we want to tap into by providing the yarn. These among others will keep us in the market as we shall have our own market share that we are not sharing with them.

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

Yes, I am actively initiating actions within my community. For instance, during my time at Gulu University, I participated in workshops that educated women on eco-friendly business practices, emphasizing sustainable solutions like renewable energy and waste management. This initiative not only empowered women with technical knowledge but also equipped them with skills to start sustainable businesses. Additionally, my involvement in various clean energy projects, such as the development of green charcoal briquettes, has allowed me to mentor female entrepreneurs on innovative ways to turn agricultural and post-harvest waste into profitable products. By collaborating with local NGOs and educational institutions, I have facilitated networking events and advocacy campaigns such as the menstrual hygiene day in Gulu, where we taught young ladies how to handle menstrual stigma to ensure they can go through school despite all that and also taught them how to make reusable pads.