Who we are
Takataka Plastics is transforming Uganda’s plastic waste into valuable products that benefit people and the planet. We locally recycle discarded plastics into high-quality, affordable construction tiles, learning materials, and other innovative products. In doing so, we are creating jobs, improving public health and the environment, and closing the loop in Uganda’s circular economy.
How it all started
When Paige started grad school at UC Berkeley in Fall 2017, she wanted to work on problems that were affecting her Ugandan friends, so she started researching plastic waste. She worked with Gulu University students to conduct an assessment of plastic waste in Gulu and interview 200+ people. Paige also met Peter who was working on plastic waste education through an organization he started called AfriGreen Sustain. They partnered together to form Takataka Plastics, and in January 2020, they opened a small plastic collection center, hired three staff, built prototype machines, and received Takataka’s first order. Now, Takataka Plastics can’t produce enough to keep up with the demand for our wall tiles, so we’re working on scaling up operations in Gulu City to make more products and create more jobs and a cleaner, healthier environment.
MISSION
We are innovating solutions to waste challenges that build a circular economy while creating jobs and a healing workplace for at-risk populations.
Our Core Values
Integrity & Professionalism
Steadfast adherence to high ethical principles; such as truthfulness, fairness, doing what we say we will do, and “speaking forth” about why we do what we do, constitute our efforts to show our integrity. In addition, we as Takataka Plastics intend to carry out our activities in accordance with the rules, regulations, and laws of our profession, industry, and country.
Loyalty & Passion
Takataka Plastics expects from our employees and offers them full dedication, commitment, and zeal for our work. We work collaboratively with our employees, partners, suppliers, and customers to solve problems and achieve goals. We are also passionate to help create a society free of plastic waste and empower communities to realize their potential.
Generosity & Service
Through our individual and organizational actions, we strive to show kindness to all and consider the needs of those around us. We believe that through offering inclusive services to members of the community, we shall go a great step towards improving their wellbeing and collectively deriving best solutions for the waste management challenge.
Community & Compassion
We believe each person has intrinsic value and deserves to be listened to, respected, and remembered. Whether it’s our colleague at work, the neighbor next door, or stranger in the market, we consider those around us. We strive to go about our days with our eyes open to see those around us who need a listening ear, an encouraging word, or a helping hand. We are on a continual journey of growth, learning how we can best serve those around us.
Innovation & Teamwork
We believe innovation and teamwork are the keys to solving the world’s big challenges. We are constantly brainstorming and experimenting with new ideas that push the boundary of current scientific practice. Whether it’s brainstorming with our own talented team, reaching out to specialized experts, or fostering partnerships with like-minded organizations, we always search for solutions from a broad network because breakthroughs come from collaboration and building on the work of others.
Transparency & Accountability
Transparency and accountability form the foundation of Takataka Plastics, we pledge to openly share with our stakeholders information about our activities and governance that is accurate, complete, and available in a timely fashion.
Humility
We believe all people are created equal. No one is too big to do small tasks, and no one is too small to be recognized for their work. Everyone is held accountable for their actions and words. There should be no hidden, ostracized, or second-class people--everyone deserves to be respected and treated equally.
Environmentalism
We believe it is everyone’s responsibility to work towards a healthy and clean environment for both the current and future generations. We thus encourage environmentally friendly practices and implore others to adopt such practices.
Meet the Founders
Peter Okwoko
Peter is a former lecturer of IT at Gulu University, but he left academia to start Takataka Plastics and make an impact in his community. He is a graduate of the MSc Innovative Communication Technologies and Entrepreneurship program from Aalborg University, Denmark. Peter is from Northern Uganda and is super passionate about creating opportunities for disadvantaged people in his community & educating community members about caring for the environment. He is the founder of AfriGreen Sustain and co-founder of Hashtag Gulu, a community-based organization that works with children and young adults who live and work on the streets of Gulu.
Peter is a 2022 Echoing Green Fellow and the winner of the 2020 DANIDA Alumni Prize.
Paige Balcom
Paige holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California Berkeley where she focused on Energy Science and Technology & Development Engineering. She has a deep passion to use engineering and entrepreneurship to create jobs and help improve people’s lives. Originally from the US, Paige has been working in Northern Uganda since 2016.
Paige pitched on Shark Tank and has received several fellowships and awards including those from the National Science Foundation, UC Berkeley, Fulbright Program, USAID, the Institute of International Education, and the Lemelson-MIT Student Prize.