Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

EcoSpin is dedicated to transforming the significant volume of plastic waste in Uganda into high-quality recycled yarn and artificial wool. These materials provide a sustainable alternative for the textile industry, appealing to tailors, knitters and more

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

By processing discarded plastic into valuable textile fibers, we will support the fashion and textile sectors with sustainable, innovative materials. This initiative turns diverted waste into a resource to promote a circular economy in Uganda. The market opportunity for recycled plastics in Uganda and the East African region is growing. The existing gap represents a substantial opportunity for businesses focused on plastic recycling. In the wider East African region, the demand for recycled plastics is expected to rise considerably. Africa's plastic recycling market is projected to grow from 9.95 million tonnes in 2020 to 15.36 million tonnes by 2030, marking a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.97%. This growing market presents a great opportunity for EcoSpin to not only address environmental issues but also tap into a lucrative sector. Moreover, this initiative will meet the increasing demand for eco-friendly materials in local and foreign fashion industries. and regiona

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

Uganda faces a severe plastic pollution crisis, with a staggering 600 tonnes of plastic waste generated daily - equivalent to 219,000 tonnes annually! Alarmingly! Only about 6% of this waste is collected for recycling, indicating a substantial gap in waste management and a threat to the environment.

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

EcoSpin’s unique approach introduces a valuable and versatile material to the textile industry, and goes beyond traditional recycling by transforming plastic waste into high-quality yarn suitable for a wide range of applications, from clothing to home decor. In addition, the use of new recycling technologies in EcoSpin enhances the efficiency and quality of the produced yarn. The project aims at employing innovative processes for cleaning, sorting, and processing plastic waste. The final yarn product will meet the high standards required for textile production to address common recycling challenges like contamination and material degradation.

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

EcoSpin is designed to serve a diverse group beneficiaries: 1. Local Communities: - Plastic Waste Collectors: EcoSpin will provide income opportunities and promote environmental awareness, which will create jobs and empower individuals - Residents: The project aims to improve the local environment by promoting cleaner, healthier living conditions. 2. Consumers: - Sustainable Fashion Enthusiasts: EcoSpin will offer high-quality yarn and artificial wool that can be used in various textile applications. - Home Decor Market 3. Textile Industry: - Manufacturers: Textile manufacturers looking for sustainable materials can benefit from EcoSpin’s high-quality yarn to enable them produce environmentally friendly products. - Fashion Brands: Brands can incorporate EcoSpin’s materials into their product lines to appeal to eco-conscious consumers. 4. Environmental Advocates -Non-Governmental Organizations - Policy-makers Broad Society -General Public

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-03-05

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

3

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.)

Jjingo Farouk is skilled In the public health impact plastic waste can have on communities. He heads the sustainability practices of the startup. Ssemakula Jonathan is a robotics engineer whose 9 year experience working with and successfully completing projects centred around grassroots communities will inspire better decision making processes. Kisaakye Deborah has a strong background in business, accounting and finance practices, which make her the best candidate to lead this department. In addition, she was born and raised in our target community.

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?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

The startup will provide jobs to unemployed youth in the community The startup will utilize plastic waste produced by members of the community, recycle it, and centre business transactions in the area, which will boost business within the area. The startup will attract other players in the fashion and textile industries, leading to the creation of more jobs.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

The startup will provide employment and meals to workers, which will reduce the levels of hunger in the long run. Our employment package will comprise a number of benefits, including meals and accommodation for our employees. In addition, since the startup will align its values toward maximum benefit of members of the community, community outreaches

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

The startup will significantly reduce the amount of plastics in water bodies and landfills. This will lead to improved sanitation and over all well-being of everyone in the community.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

2

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The startup will provide employment opportunities to adult women of all ages. This will lead to gender equality in this community, by equipping these women with opportunities, skills and the knowledge to do the same jobs the males perform, under equal rights.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

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 startup will create jobs, whose conditions meet the national average. The job opportunities will be merit-based, with special consideration for women, displaced people and persons with disabilities.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

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

2

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

6

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.

3

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

2

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.08 Justification

In my local community, investors are thinking about establishing factories and other infrastructure that produce more waste, not taking into consideration how even more beneficial a circular economy would be for them. Our startup provides a highly innovative line of recycled yarn that can be used for a variety of functions.

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

In my local community, there are no main competitors. Countrywide, our main competitors are a number of established companies already operating on a similar business model. Gladly, our focus on specifically producing recycled yarn makes us stand out from them, since their focus is on a different range of products. In addition, we have the best understanding of this community, which gives us a sharp edge to start our operations before expanding.

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

Yes. We are empowering school girls with practical skills through which they can earn a living. These include: Tailoring Hairdressing Making reusable sanitary pads and more. In addition, we encourage school administrators to sell canteen food prepared by these cool girls from their homes. We started a community platform that connects successful female figures in the community with younger females, so as to give them role models whose footsteps in entrepreneurship they can follow.