TRANSFORMING WASTE, EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES
For People, Profits & Planet
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. Since Gulu is a 6 hour drive from the nearest recycling plant, the high transportation costs make it economically unfeasible to send low-value plastic waste for recycling so the plastic is burned, buried, or littered.
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. People are loving them and can’t believe they’re made from waste water and soda bottles. Our tiles are much more durable than the existing ceramic tiles--ours don’t break when dropped.
What Sets Us Apart
PET Recycling
Takataka collects and processes all the plastic waste in the same town, so there is no long-distance transportation. We solve the issue of waste sinks.
Local Model
Takataka collects and processes all the plastic waste in the same town, so there is no long-distance transportation. We solve the issue of waste sinks.
Low Cost
Since we fabricate our parts and assemble some of our machines in Uganda, our startup costs are 1/4 of the capital needed to import machinery from abroad.
Scalability
We can address the magnitude of the plastic waste issue. By manufacturing construction products and medical equipment, we have enough demand to use all the plastic waste. Our operation can be easily replicated in towns across the developing world.
Safety
Our technology precisely controls the temperature at which we melt the plastic, so we can safely melt all types of plastic without releasing fumes hazardous to workers’ health or the environment.
Our impacts since 2020
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
Latest News
Partners & Supporters
Contribution to the SDGs
Although we contribute to all Sustainable Development Goals, our primary focus lies on SDGs 1, 9, 12, 13, and 17.
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.