Space Medium Youth Initiative (SMYI) launched a waste management intervention in Acholi Quarters, Kampala, beginning September 2024, to transform plastic waste into pavers. The initiative supported by Plan International Uganda under the project Youth climate Action Accelerator not only tackles the growing plastic waste problem in the community but also provides a sustainable livelihood for local youth by creating jobs and income opportunities.
Plastics are significantly affecting communities in Uganda, contributing to environmental degradation and climate change.
Uganda generates over 600 metric tons of plastic waste daily, with around 51% improperly disposed of. Kampala alone accounts for about 30% of the country’s plastic waste, 50% of plastic waste in Uganda is single-use plastic, such as plastic bags and bottles.
These plastics are non-biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to decompose particularly microplastics, are increasingly contaminating soil and water bodies, which can affect agriculture. Contaminated soils reduce the fertility and yield of crops, affecting farmers' livelihoods.
Promoting recycling programs is key to reducing plastic waste. Uganda currently recycles around 9% of its plastic waste. Expanding recycling infrastructure and incentivizing private sector investment in recycling could increase this figure. As SMYI we therefore leverage this opportunity to venture into reuse of plastic by converting it into Paver bricks.
The initiative currently supported by Plan International Uganda, and we have been able to set up a war against plastics. We have collected 294 kg of plastic from this community within the last 3 months. This progress highlights the community’s increasing involvement in plastic waste management and the potential for scaling the project in the future. The initiative created jobs for 5 youth in the community who are now engaged as plastic suppliers. These individuals are responsible for collecting plastic waste, helping reduce pollution while earning an income. We have built a machine that safely transform the plastic into molten form without emmision of gas into the artimosphere, the molten plastic can be recycled into various forms but majorly we have started with pavers.
Our initiative here build the ground to fight the effects of plastics in the community and also contribute to the global war against plastic effects in the world.
SMYI made substantial progress in both environmental conservation and community engagement through its waste management project by collecting over 294 kg of plastics and safely recycling 30 kg into pavers. Despite challenges such as market competition and technical setbacks, the initiative remains committed to creating long-term solutions for plastic waste while providing economic opportunities for youth in the Acholi Quarters. We look towards implementing more projects beyond the paver production and set alternatives for plastic use. This would reduce landfill waste and mitigate environmental damage caused by open dumping. SMYI has initiated research to explore more innovative ways to use plastic waste but also making the interventions entrepreneual. This research will open up new opportunities for recycling, reducing and reusing plastic for new product development in the future, further expanding the scope of the project.
Reducing plastic pollution contributes to climate change mitigation since the production and disposal of plastics con
tribute to 8.7% of global carbon emissions. By reducing plastic waste, Uganda can help meet its commitments to the international climate change targets with a multi-faceted approach, including policy enforcement, recycling, public awareness, and plastic alternatives. Collaborative efforts between the government, private sector, and communities are essential to create sustainable solutions and protect Uganda’s environment.
By tackling these challenges, SMYI aims to build a more robust and sustainable waste management project that contributes to both environmental and economic development for youth far and beyond the community of Acholi Quarters.
Act now, Empower the Youth, Save the Planet🌏
Project: Youth Climate Action Accelerator
Activity: Waste Management: Plastic paver production
Duration: August to January 2025
Location: Banda Zone one: Acholi quarters.
Implemented By: Space Medium Youth Initiative
Funded by: Plan International Uganda
Content by: Abwola Hillary Makwar
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