For People, Profits & Planet
We are innovating solutions to waste challenges to build a circular economy and a healing workplace community for at-risk populations.
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We are innovating solutions to waste challenges that build a circular economy while creating jobs and a healing workplace for at-risk populations.
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A world where waste is transformed into a resource and communities are empowered.
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Community & Compassion | Innovation & Teamwork | Transparency & Accountability | Integrity & Professionalism | Loyalty & Passion | Generosity & Service | Humility | Environmentalism
The Problem
Did you know that 91% of the world’s plastic is NOT recycled?
These plastics build up in waste sinks in developing areas like Gulu, Uganda. Discarded plastic soda and water bottles are littered across streets and fields because the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles have a very low recycling value. No industries in East Africa can recycle PET because its chemical properties make it very difficult to process.
The Solution
Takataka (meaning “waste” in Swahili) is providing a recycling service that currently does not exist, creating income opportunities for the marginalized, and reducing environmental and health hazards in places where waste is currently burned or littered. We are developing ground-breaking technology to safely process plastic waste in Uganda, changing people’s mindsets about plastic waste from untouchable, dirty “rubbish” to a potential resource impacting their environment, and creating opportunities for healing for trauma survivors.
We are producing recycled PET tiles at full-scale production as our primary products! The tiles are beautiful and so strong. Our tiles are much more durable than the existing ceramic tiles.
Ours don’t break when dropped.
Collect
Process
Products
Our Products
Plastic Sheets
Key Holders
Table Coasters
TakaTiles
Phone Stands
Learning Slates
Flower Pots
Laptop Stand
Plastic Furniture
What Sets us apart
Local Model
Low Cost
PET Recycling
Safety
Scalability
Collected and prevented from entering environment
We have reached over 1.9 million people
Prevented from being emitted to the atmosphere
Working full time
Over the years, we have earned over 200 community collectors
Through grants and sales
We have trained 2200 primary school Students
We have trained 70 University Students
Impact By Numbers
Our SDG Contribution
We aim to provide job opportunities for young people, particularly at-risk youth, to help lift them out of poverty and improve their quality of life.
We aim to encourage the development of sustainable, circular economies that reduce waste and promote the responsible use of resources.
By recycling plastic, we aim to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans, thus contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment.
We help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with burining of plastic waste, which can contribute to climate change.
We recognize the importance of partnerships in achieving the SDGs and are committed to working with other stakeholders to promote sustainable development and achieve our goals.
Our Partners
Our Next Steps:
Prove the Gulu Pilot
Build bigger machines to process half of Gulu’s plastic waste (approx. 9 tonnes/month).
Hire 50 Ugandan staff (many of them vulnerable youth who live and work on the streets).
Prove that our Gulu operation can be financially self-sustainable and continue developing new products.
After proving feasibility with the Gulu operation, we will expand to set up operations in five towns across Uganda. Eventually, we will scale to other developing countries.
