Takataka Plastics Secures $1M Grant for Recycling Facility

Peter Okwoko and Paige Balcom, Takataka Plastics Founders

Takataka Plastics, a Ugandan social enterprise tackling plastic pollution and youth unemployment, has secured a US$1 million (UGX 3.57 billion) grant to support the construction of a modern recycling facility in Koro, Gulu City, northern Uganda.

Dubbed the Takataka Village Complex, the state-of-the-art facility is expected to significantly boost Uganda’s capacity to process and repurpose plastic waste, particularly PET bottles.

It will serve as both a recycling plant and a community empowerment centre, creating employment, vocational training, and fostering environmental stewardship.

“We thank our funders for believing in us and in our vision of transforming waste and empowering communities,” the organization said in a statement.

“This funding marks a major milestone in our mission to build a more sustainable and inclusive circular economy.”

The grant, which comes from a consortium of international donors and development partners, will go toward building infrastructure, acquiring recycling equipment, and expanding community outreach and education programs.

Founded in 2020, Takataka Plastics has quickly risen to prominence in Uganda’s sustainability landscape.

The organization is known for collecting and transforming post-consumer plastics into useful household and construction products, such as face shields, roofing tiles, and pavers, while employing and training vulnerable youth, including survivors of war and street-connected individuals.

With Gulu City and many parts of Uganda struggling with poor waste management and limited recycling infrastructure, Takataka’s new facility is expected to process up to 9 tonnes of plastic waste per day once fully operational.

“This complex is not just about recycling, it’s about reimagining plastic waste as a resource and unlocking local value chains,” said co-founder and CEO Peter Okwoko . “We want to create a model that other African cities can replicate.”

The project aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 development goals and the National Environment Management Authority’s (NEMA) push for improved plastic waste handling.

Environmental experts believe such initiatives are critical in addressing the plastic crisis that threatens Uganda’s ecosystems and water bodies, including Lake Victoria.

Takataka Plastics has received prior recognition and support from organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Source: Sustainable Packaging MEA