A collaborative effort between conservationists, manufacturers, and processors has been initiated in Luuka, Uganda, to introduce the use of biodegradable plastics in the country. Spearheaded by the Uganda Biodiversity Fund (UBF), the two-year pilot project named Clean Products for the Environment (CPE) is set to operate until August 31, 2025.
This project involves key players such as Luuka Plastics as manufacturers, Jakana Foods and Rena Beverages as packaging users, Green Africa as technology providers, and regulatory bodies like NEMA and UNBS overseeing the entire process.
Luuka Plastics, the designated manufacturer for the project, will produce biodegradable plastic packages for Jakana and Rena using technology sourced from India, facilitated locally by Green Wheel Africa Holdings. Both food processing factories have agreed to absorb the additional costs associated with the biodegradable packaging materials, which come alongside advancements in manufacturing technology.
Ivan Amanigaruhanga, Executive Director of the Uganda Biodiversity Fund, emphasizes the project’s goals of promoting cleaner production processes and increasing private sector investment in biodiversity conservation. With a budget exceeding USD 158,000, the project aims to catalyze changes in Uganda’s plastic production and consumption habits by introducing biodegradable alternatives while simultaneously raising public awareness about proper plastic disposal.
Despite starting with a modest budget and involving only Luuka Plastics in production initially, Amanigaruhanga envisions scaling up the project to a potential value of USD 10 million over its lifespan, covering the entire country. He emphasizes the importance of engaging the private sector and government in the educational aspect of the project to garner support and amplify its message.
Paul Walakira, Principal Standards Officer at the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UNBS), highlights the partnership’s goal of replacing non-biodegradable plastics with biodegradable alternatives.
Alex Ampaire, CEO of Green Wheel Africa and supplier of the biodegradable technology, notes that although the technology is novel to Uganda and Africa, it has proven successful elsewhere. He asserts that biodegradable plastics offer a more effective solution to environmental plastic pollution compared to methods like bans on plastic bags, which have shown limited effectiveness.
Ampaire clarifies that adopting biodegradable technology doesn’t necessitate changes to the production line; rather, it involves substituting ingredients in the manufacturing process. Biodegradable ingredients are categorized based on their decomposition rates, ranging from less than one month to more than six months.
This initiative marks a significant step towards reducing plastic pollution and promoting environmental sustainability in Uganda.
