Uganda - Business creation project

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

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 Décrivez votre projet en détail

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 Quel est le problème principal que vous essayez de résoudre ?

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 Dites-nous quels sont les principaux avantages et/ou bénéfices de l'utilisation du produit/service que vous souhaitez fournir par votre projet (au moins 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 Veuillez décrire précisément à qui s'adressera le produit/service de votre projet. Quels sont les bénéficiaires visés ?

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 Quand avez-vous commencé à travailler sur votre projet ?

01/01/2024

01.06 Combien y a-t-il de propriétaires sur votre projet en plus de vous ?

0

01.07 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

0

01.08 Veuillez décrire le profil des autres propriétaires de votre projet (compétences, expérience, etc.).

No partners are available yet.

01.09 Si vous avez un site web, une page sur les médias sociaux (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin...) ou une application, veuillez fournir le(s) lien(s) ici :

01.10 Quel est le secteur d'activité qui décrit le mieux votre projet ?

b) Matériaux (agriculture, pêche, produits chimiques, matériaux de construction, conteneurs et emballages, métaux et mines, papier et produits forestiers)

02.01.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Pas de pauvreté'

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02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Faim Zéro'

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02.02.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Bonne Santé et Bien Être'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.03.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Éducaiton de Qualité'

5

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Égalité entre les Sexes'

6

02.05.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Eau Propre et Assainissement'

6

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Énergie Propre et Abordable'

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02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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

02.08.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Travail Décent et Croissance Économique'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.08.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Industrie, Innovaiton et Infrastructure'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Réduction des Inégalités'

6

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Villes et Communautés Durables'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Consommation et Production Responsable'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Luttle contre les Changements Climatiques'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.13.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Sous-Marine'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projetp contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Terrestre'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Paix, Justice et Institutions Efficaces'

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02.16.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.17.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Parteneriats pour la Réalisation des Objectifs'

6

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

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 Il existe un grand nombre de clients qui utilisent déjà un produit/service très similaire à celui que nous envisageons de créer.

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05.02 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer représente un type de produit/service entièrement nouveau

5

05.03 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer pourrait être décrit comme une nouvelle technologie

5

05.04 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer est une amélioration d'un produit ou d'un service existant

6

05.05 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer pourrait être décrit comme une extension d'une gamme de produits ou de services

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

05.06 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer répond à une demande ou à un besoin qui n'a pas été satisfait par d'autres produits/services.

6

05.07 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer est une nouvelle version d'un ancien produit/service

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

05.08 Justification de mon projet

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 Qui sont vos principaux potentiels concurrents et qu'est-ce qui vous différencie d'eux ?

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 Menez-vous des actions au sein de votre communauté pour promouvoir le rôle des femmes 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.