
Nakaweesi Margrete lives in Kasubi Village, which is named after the grass thatched houses the residents live in.
She’s been collecting plastic with Eco Brixs since 2020, helping to clean up tonnes of plastic waste from the environment whilst earning a steady income that has helped improve many areas of her life.
From Farming to Plastic Collection
We are living in a time where Climate Change, namely raising temperatures and less rain, is negatively affecting crop yields and gardens in Uganda. As many people grow their own food, this is leading to famine and food scarcity.
Previously, Margrete sold traditional Ugandan food to make a living, such as Matooke (bananas), dried maize, beans, and coffee. However as farming has become more erratic, with less regular income, she has switched to plastic collection to earn an income.
“We have had to adapt to the new normal. Plastic Waste collection has become our new modern cash business equivalent to coffee. Plastic waste collection earns us money and has improved our livelihoods.”
Like many of our Plastic Collectors, she feels “Waste plastic collection replaced the coffee business and this makes plastics our new modern coffee”.

Margrete appreciates the opportunity to earn an income from plastic collection with Eco Brixs as she feels it allows her to ensure her family have enough food and never go to bed on an empty stomach. She’s so glad she tried something different (despite her age!) and explored a new avenue to make some money.
Using Plastic to Earn a Livelihood and Save
She has now been collecting plastic since the pandemic and it has made a huge difference to her life, helping her to earn a living, fund necessities, save, and cater for her grandchildren. In December 2022, when the heavy rains damaged her home, the income from plastic collection has even helped her overcome adversity and repair her home by collecting extra plastic to increase her earnings.
"I worry not what my new infrastructure will be because after selling off these Plastic bottles to Eco Brixs, and save up some money to cover up some of my construction expenses.”
She feels Eco Brixs has been the answer to the community’s waste management issues and financial challenges.
Margrete has also become the Chairperson of a group called AKWATA EMPOLA WOMEN’S SACCO, which encourages local women to save some money from every plastic collection, which can be used for unexpected costs or for their personal development.
“Being part of Akwata Empola Women’s Sacco is by far the best decision I have made. The sacco has empowered us to believe in ourselves and nurtured a saving culture in us. I am financially independent and it has given us an opportunity to save and eventually have a big amount of money in one go. The strength of a woman comes from proper financial management and independence. Working with an organization that gives women an opportunity to work promotes inclusion and building zero waste communities is a treasure I cherish at heart.”

A huge thank you to Margrete for sharing her story with us and supporting her community by leading Akwata Empola Women’s Sacco, helping to inspire other women to save!
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