Zimbabwe - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

After clean up campaigns, my project recycles plastic bottles into eco-friendly products, promoting sustainability and creative reuse. Collecting & upcycling bottles reduces waste, inspires community engagement & showcases environmental stewardship.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

My project transforms plastic bottles into valuable resources, promoting sustainability and community engagement. After organizing succesful clean up campaigns, you collect plastic bottles, sort and clean them, and upcycle into innovative products liker decorative planters and functional items. This initiative reduces plastic waste, decreases landfill contributions, and inspires creative reuse. By involving the community in collection and upcycling processes, you foster environmental awareness, education, and stewardship. My project showcases the potential of waste reduction, creative innovation, and community- driven environmental action, serving as a model for others to follow

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

Plastic pollution: By collecting and recycling plastic bottles, we are reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills, oceans and other ecosystems. Waste management: My project promotes proper watse disposal and encourages people to think creatively about waste reduction and reuse. Environmental degradation: By upcycling plastic bottles into useful products, we are reducing the need for new raw materials and decreasing the carbon footprint associated with producing new products.

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

Eco friendliness- The products are made from recycled materials, reducing the amount of waste in land fills and oceans Sustainability: By upcycling plastic bottles we are reducing the need for raw materials and the energy required to produce new products Environmental awareness: Using upcycled products raises awareness about plastic waste and encourages consumers to think sustainably.

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

Environment- By reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability, the environment is the primary beneficiary. Local community- The community benefits from a cleaner environment, education on sustainable practices, and potential economic opportunities through upcycling. Individuals- People who use the upcycled products benefit from unique, eco-friendly, and affordable items

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-02-10

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

1

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.)

Thuba is one of the founders of a local recycling company in Bulawayo. She has been doing this for the past 3 years. Her skills involve communication, team work, organizing and planning

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?

j) Public services

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

My project is providing a source of income for individuals involved in the collection and upcycling process. It creates jobs and stimulating local economic growth. It promotes sustainable livelihoods and reducing dependence on waste picking as people can shift to collecting plastic bottles for upcycling , earning a stablle income

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

By creating planters and other agricultural tools from upcycled plastic, we promote sustainable farming practices. My project may support small scale farmers especially women by providing them with resources and training to improve their agricultural productivity.

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

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

We will promote physical activity by creating golf related products from upcycled plastic, it encourages people to engage in physical activity like golf which improves overall health and well being. Golf and out door activities have been shown to have a positive impact on mental health and stress reduction.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

My project promotes hands on learning, it offers a unique opportunity for students to learn about sustainability, waste management, and creative problem solving through hands on experiences. The upcycling process involves design, engineering, and innovation, aligning with STEM education principles. By intergrating sustainability and environmental awareness into education, we empower students to make informed choices and become responsible global citizens.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

My project provides opportunities for women to develop skills, gain economic independence, and become leaders in sustainable practices. We are also challenging gender stereotypes, by engaging women in non traditional roles like upcycling and craftsmanship, we help break down gender barriers and promote gender equality. By involving women in the design, production, and decision making processes, we ensure that their perspectives and needs are considered.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Reducing plastic waste in waterways, by collecting and upcycling plastic bottles, you help prevent them from entering water ways and harming aquatic ecosystems. My project raises awareness about the importance of responsible water management and the impact of plastic pollution on water resources.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

5

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

My project encourages the use of energy efficient practices and renewable energy sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. By creating products from upcycled plastic, you help reduce the energy required for producing new materials and promote sustainable energy solutions. By upcycling plastic bottles we promote sustainable consumption patterns and reduce waste, which is linked to energy saving.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

My project generates employent opportunities in the upcycling process, contributing to decent work and economic growth. My project encourages entreprenuership and innovation, the projects innovative approach to upcycling plastic bottles inspires entrepreneurship and innovation, driving economic growth and development.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

My project develops new and innovative ways to upcycle bottles, driving technological progress and innovation. By creating new products and materials from upcycled plastic we contribute to the development of sustainable infrastructure and industrial processes. By promoting sustainable practices and upcycling, we contribute to the development of sustainable infrastructure including green buildings and sustainable transportation systems.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

My projects promotes social inclusion, my project provides opportunities for marginalized communities to participate in the upcycling process, promoting social inclusion and reducing social inequalities. By creating economic opportunities and promoting sustainable livelihoods, we help reduce economic inequalities and promote economic empowerment. My project involves promoting gender equality by providing opportunities for women to participate in the upcycling process and promoting gender balanced decision making.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

We will create sustainable communities by engaging communities in the upcycling process, where we will foster a sense of ownership and responsibility building sustainable and resilient communities. My project helps reduce plastic waste in cities, promoting a cleaner and healthier urban environment.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

My project helps minimize plastic waste and pollution by upcycling plastic bottles into valuable products. By creating products from upcycled plastic, we encourage consumers to choose sustainable options and reduce their carbon footprint. My project adopts sustainable production methods, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, my project helps minimize plastic waste that ends up in landfills, reducing methane emissions and other greenhouse gases. My project may involve creating products that support climate resilience, such as planters for urban gardens that help mitigate the urban heat island effect.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

My project helps reduce plastic waste that ends up in oceans and water ways, reducing harm to marine life and ecosystems. By reducing plastic waste we help preserve marine biodiversity and promote a healthy ocean ecosystem.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

My project helps minimize plastic waste that ends up in landfills, reducing harm to terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. It also promotes land use by upcycling plastic bottles, you encourage sustainable land use practices, reducing deforestation and land degradation. We help preserve biodiversity on land, protecting ecosystems and species.

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

5

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

My project fosters community engagement and social cohesion, promoting peaceful and inclusive communities.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

The partnerships with the local community ensure that everyone is involved and well aware of what is happening.

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

2

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

2

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

2

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

2

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.

2

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

3

05.08 Justification

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

Craftsmen and artisans, skilled individuals creating handmade upcycled products may compete with my business. Established upcycling businesses companies already involved in upcycling similar materials or products.

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

The clean up campaign that I held in February 2024, most of the attendees were women. The project aims at uplifting women, they can collect plastic bottles and get paid.