Turning Waste into value & Employment Opportunities
See How We Create Jobs
We equip youth and women with skills in recycling, entrepreneurship, and eco-innovation, creating sustainable employment and economic empowerment.
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SAY NO TO PLASTIC
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Explore Our Housing Projects
Building Affordable Homes, Changing Lives
We repurpose plastic waste into durable, low-cost homes, solving housing shortages and reducing environmental impact.
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SAY NO TO PLASTIC
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Fighting Plastic Pollution, One Bottle at a Time
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Upcycle Africa diverts tons of plastic waste from landfills and oceans, turning it into valuable, eco-friendly products.
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SSA
SAY NO TO PLASTIC
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Featured
Our Work
- 600 tons of plastic waste in Uganda are poorly disposed of daily.
- Over 4.5M Ugandan youth remain unemployed.
- The housing deficit in Uganda stands at 2.4M units.
- Constructed eco-friendly homes across 6 African countries.
- Empowered thousands of women and youth with skills to create sustainable livelihoods.
About Us
Transforming Waste, Empowering Lives
At Upcycle Africa, we believe in the power of innovation to tackle environmental challenges and uplift communities. Since our inception in 2015, we have been at the forefront of turning plastic waste into opportunities, creating eco-friendly housing, empowering marginalized groups, and promoting sustainable practices.
With a vision to drive sustainability across Africa, we’re more than just a social enterprise—we're a movement. Our efforts address pressing issues like plastic pollution, unemployment, and housing deficits by providing innovative solutions that benefit people and the planet.
Together, we can make waste a solution and drive meaningful social impact. Whether you’re an advocate for sustainability or looking to partner, we invite you to join us on this transformative journey.
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Transforming Waste, Transforming Lives
What We Do
From zero waste campaigns to eco-friendly homes, each of our initiatives is designed to create a lasting impact on people and the planet. Explore our groundbreaking solutions below:
Why We do What we do
Addressing Critical Issues
Our work tackles some of the most pressing challenges of our time:
01
Plastic Waste Crisis:
Globally, 91% of plastic waste remains unrecycled, with 12.7 million tonnes polluting our oceans every year. In Uganda, 600 tons of plastic waste are mismanaged.
02
Housing Deficit:
Uganda has a 2.4 million housing shortage, leaving many without safe shelter. Among them, 1.5 million refugees urgently need sustainable, affordable homes.
03
Youth Unemployment:
With 4.5 million young people unemployed in Uganda, we are tackling this crisis by creating green jobs through recycling, upcycling, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Our Purpose
We empower communities to reimagine plastic waste as a catalyst for positive change
Our Reach
Where We Work
Upcycle Africa has constructed eco-friendly homes in multiple African countries, including:
Through our labor-based approach, we provide marginalized groups with skills to repurpose waste, fostering sustainability and self-reliance.
Uganda
Nigeria
Tanzania
Ghana
South Africa
Zimbabwe
Barack Obama
"We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it"
TIMELINE
Innovation and Impact
A Vision Is Born
Community construction of the first plastic bottle houses at Jangu International.
Focused on creating homes and empowerment spaces while tackling waste pollution.
2015
Gaining Momentum
Doing Research and testing our houses, from prototype to coming up with a final product.
2016
Skills Development
A dedicated team was formed and trained to specialize in building homes from plastic bottles and well as doing research to come up with many different products from waste.
2017
Officially Upcycle Africa
Legally acquired the Upcycle Africa name and began constructing eco-friendly homes on a larger scale.
2018
Business Model and Growth
Developed a robust business model, formalized the company, and expanded the team to drive operations.
2019
Partnerships and Recognition
Partnered with organizations to scale our work, gained international attention, and secured local construction deals.
2020
Expanding Across Africa
Exported the solution to other African countries.
Empowered youth and women through training programs such as “Trash to Fuel” initiatives.
2021
Deepening Community Impact
Focused on training women and youth to transform waste into valuable products.
Reinstalled the team with a renewed commitment to creating social and environmental impact.
2022-Present
THE TEAM
Every day at Upcycle Africa feels like a Friday—our team is united by passion, enthusiasm, and a shared mission.
Community Outreach Coordinator
Nampeera Sophia
Head of Finance & Administration
Shaban Abidtum
Skills Development Specialist
Tryphine Kemigisha
Head of Construction & Innovations
Monday David
Head of HR & Programs Manager
Nakintu Judith
Head Fundraiser & Marketing
Johnmary Kavuma
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Insights & Intelligence
Join Our Mission
Get Involved
Help us create a better future for communities and the planet: But we’re just getting started! Join us as a team member, mentor, or partner, or support our programs with a donation. Together, we can build a cleaner, greener future.
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Our Partners
Our work wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our partners. Together, we’re driving meaningful change.
