From Tragedy to Transformation
The Birth of Upcycle Africa
I grew up in a small Ugandan community where poverty and plastic pollution were part of daily life. My grandmother and I lived in a fragile house that collapsed during a storm when I was just 19. I survived with injuries, but tragically, she didn’t. Her death left a deep void but also sparked a powerful purpose in me. To honor her memory and prevent others from suffering similar loss, I founded Upcycle Africa—a social enterprise turning plastic waste into sustainable housing. What began as a small initiative has grown into a movement across seven African countries, building eco-friendly homes, schools, and community centers from waste. We’ve empowered countless youth and women with skills in waste management and green construction. Our impact has reached beyond Africa, with plans to expand to Europe, starting with Ireland. In recognition of our work, we received the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award (2020) and the IET Innovation Award for sustainability. But my greatest reward is seeing families sleep safely in homes built from what was once trash. Upcycle Africa is more than recycling plastic—it’s about transforming lives. It’s a symbol of hope, resilience, and the belief that even the most painful experiences can lead to beautiful change.
What if waste could build hope?
Our Story At Upcycle Africa, our journey began with a simple yet urgent question: What if waste could build hope? Born in the heart of Uganda, Upcycle Africa was founded on the belief that sustainability and social transformation can go hand in hand. What started as a small idea in response to the growing plastic waste crisis has grown into a movement that empowers communities, protects the environment, and redefines the future of housing. We saw our communities drowning in plastic, while families lived without safe shelter. We knew something had to change. So we acted. Using innovation, passion, and local knowledge, we started transforming plastic waste into eco-bricks—and then into homes. Today, we build sustainable housing in marginalized communities, including refugee settlements, using recycled plastic materials. But our impact goes far beyond bricks and buildings. We are creating jobs for youth, training women and men in green skills, reducing pollution, and shaping a new generation of eco-innovators. With every home built, with every piece of plastic upcycled, we are telling a new story: one where trash becomes treasure, and people are empowered to lead change in their communities.
A Timeline of
Innovation and Impact
2015
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.
2016
Gaining Momentum
Additional houses constructed, attracting groups eager to learn about the process.
2017
Skills Development
A dedicated team was formed and trained to specialize in building homes from plastic bottles.
2018
Officially Upcycle Africa
Legally acquired the Upcycle Africa name and began constructing eco-friendly homes on a larger scale.
2019
Business Model and Growth
Developed a robust business model, formalized the company, and expanded the team to drive operations.
2020
Partnerships and Recognition
Partnered with organizations to scale our work, gained international attention, and secured local construction deals.
2021
Expanding Across Africa
Exported the solution to other African countries.
Empowered youth and women through training programs such as “Trash to Fuel” initiatives.
2022-Present
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.
Upcycle Africa
Our Impact So Far
Our innovative solutions have positively impacted over 2.7 million lives across Sub-Saharan Africa. From affordable housing to empowering wastepreneurs, we continue to transform waste into opportunities. 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.
Join Our Community
Our Partners
Our work wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our partners. Together, we’re driving meaningful change.
