Waste management has long been a challenge in the Kyarumba and Muhokya communities. Because most residents lack clean drinking water, they rely on bottled water almost exclusively. There is no recycling facility available in the community, so plastic bottles accumulate in waterways and community spaces, or they are burned, creating health risks and environmental strain and degradation.
Bukonzo Community Recycling is an initiative designed and run by the community, with support focused on tools, training, and reliable infrastructure rather than outside direction.
What the project does
The initiative provides a central collection point where households and small businesses can bring their plastic bottles and exchange them for cash. The bottles are sorted and prepared for transport to regional recycling centres. The project also includes:
- Community clean-up days that bring neighbours together to clear plastic waste from roadsides and riverbanks.
- Training for young people in waste sorting, safe handling, and small-scale recycling entrepreneurship.
- Partnerships with local leaders to integrate recycling practices into school programs and village meetings.
Why it matters
Bukonzo Community Recycling is more than a waste-management effort. It strengthens community pride, protects local waterways, and creates meaningful work for young people who want to contribute to a cleaner, healthier region. Families have told us they feel a renewed sense of ownership over their shared environment, and youth volunteers say the project gives them a role that is both practical and respected.
Our role
We support the initiative by providing equipment, protective gear, and transportation for collected materials. All decisions remain rooted in community priorities, with local leaders guiding the direction and pace of the project.
