Ecoplastile Project
The Problem
Globally, we produce over 350 Billion metric tons of plastics , which ends up in oceans, endengering marrine life and affecting all sector of the food supply chain. According to UNEP report 2017, more than 8 million tons of post-consumer waste plastics ended up oceans every year causing serious danger to marine life and if nothing is done now, by 2050, there will be more plastics than fish in oceans. On the other hand, Uganda’s forest reserves are fast depleting; the growing demand for timber Used in building and construction is putting a lot of pressure on the country’s forests (Uganda loses between 250,000 to 380,000 hectares of forests every year).Intensive logging over the years has reduced the country’s forest areas to less than 7% of the entire land mass, and many tree species are now on the endangered species list. If nothing is done quickly, Uganda would suffer irreparable environmental damages. We realized that if only we could produce an alternative product to timber that was stronger, long-lasting, low cost and eco-friendly, we could definitely profit from the profitable timber market, thus reduce plastic waste pollution, create green jobs especially for the marginalized youths and women and increase access to medical and education services through our “Waste Medical Insurance Scheme” that allows slum dwellers to exchange plastics for medical services while helping to save Uganda’s forest and further mitigate climate change.
Our Proposal
EcoPlastile will allow slum dwellers to collect and use waste plastics as a form of financial resource in exchange for medical services and uses an innovative, chemical free and energy- efficient technology called “waxy 2 technology” to transform post-consumer waste into plastic poles , lumbers and tiles which replaces expensive wooden timbers!, thus reducing plastic plus marine pollution, and deforestation rates. Our technology “Waxy 2 Technology” is an environmental friendly plastic extrusion technology that uses profiled waxy innovation in the extrusion process set at different temperatures, the technology helps plastic materials of different polymers reach their melting point quickly while retaining their original stability, helping to use less energy which lowers production costs, enabling production of plastic lumbers which are 32% less compared to price of timber, the technology converts more than 12 different types of plastics and packaging materials, producing durable, long lasting, termite resistant plastic lumbers used in building and construction estimated to last more than 40 years without replacement whether used in sunny areas, marine or in water applications. In addition to providing a solid waste management solution for developing countries, we provide an alternative to timber thus saving our forests and further mitigate climate change. The posts are 6 to 10 ft in length, circular, 2 – 4 inches diameter, or square, 2 – 4 inches cross-section.
We Assume that...
We can withdraw over 1 Million tons of plastic waste permanently from the environment, We have the right set of skills to deliver this project, Our model is inclusive and sustainable.
Team: We have a complementary team with the right skills set to deliver this project
Inclusive model: Our model that allows slum dwellers to exchange waste plastics for medical service is inclusive and the best strategy.
Demand: There is a huge demand for long lasting poles that do not rot and can not be affected by termites, but above all, less cost.
Cost friendly: Due to reduced long term cost of maintenance, our products will be the cheapest on the market
Constraints to Overcome
Previously, there has quite a number of recyclers, but still, it's reported that only 9% of the 350+ Billion metric tones of plastics have been recycled. Most of the plastics are not recyclable and hence are put in the landfills and end into oceans. Ecoplastile's waxy 2 technology is an environmentally friendly technology that uses profiled waxy 2 innovation set at different temperatures. The technology allows different plastics with different polymers to reach their melting points very quickly while retaining their original stability, lessening energy required for the extrusion process thus enabling us to lower costs of production. Our other strength is in the mode of collection, we work with marginalized slum dwellers to collect plastics and exchange for medical services or for sale. This allows us to ensure enough plastics for posts and roofing tile manufacturing.
Current Work
For the next 3 to 6 months, we will be focusing on grant writing especially from climate-conscious organizations like Rolex prize for Enterprises, Global Innovation Fund among others. We will then establish a facility with the capacity to make 150+ poles per day, roll out marketing in Kampala city, Uganda by contacting at least 100 hardware stores, 50 construction companies among others. We will also carry out customer interviews in order to get the views of the customers about our product and we will use their feedback to grow.
Current Needs
Moving forward, funding will be our most important need, we will need a USD $100,000 to be spent on machinery and types of equipment at $50,000, facility expansions at $5000, delivery truck at $5000, and operations at $40,000 for 6 months. In addition to funding, we will need partnerships aiming at providing public profiling on websites, connecting to experts for product improvement and advisory services aiming at enhancing our strategy