EcoBrixs & UCDVO: Turning Plastic Waste into Opportunity
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Hi, my name is Laura Mitchell and I am a final year BSc Economics student at University College Dublin. I'm excited to share that I'll be volunteering with EcoBrixs in Masaka, Uganda this June as part of the UCD Volunteering Overseas (UCDVO) program.
This June, I will spend 4 weeks working alongside local communities to tackle plastic pollution while supporting education initiatives and community development, creating stable, sustainable jobs to lift people into the employment sector in Uganda and protecting the environment.
About Ecobrix:
EcoBrixs is a non-profit organisation that's revolutionising how communities address plastic waste in Uganda.
Started in 2017 in a back garden with just 2 tonnes of collected plastic, they've grown to become one of the largest recycling facilities outside Uganda's capital, Kampala.
Their closed-loop recycling model:
- Collects plastic waste from the community at 20+ recycling centers across Uganda
- Provides income to over 3,000 local collectors, with a focus on employing women and people with disabilities (50% of their workforce)
- Transforms waste into innovative products like bricks, furniture, pavers, fence posts, face shields, and more
- Reinvests revenue from eco-products to continue purchasing plastic from the community
- Has recycled over 350 tonnes of plastic waste to date
- Partners with local schools to promote environmental education and sustainability
- Aligns with four UN Sustainable Development Goals focused on decent work, sustainable communities, responsible consumption, and life on land.
My Work
During my time in Uganda, I will be working directly in the upcycling center, helping create sustainable building materials including their innovative plastic-sand composite pavers that are stronger, lighter, and more durable than concrete.
I am also very excited to be working with some of the 56 partner schools to teach about local circular economies. We will be talking about recycling and how students can create value through upcycling.
Ecobrix also has a "Plastic for Education" Project. This innovative program helps students pay for their school fees by the pupils collecting plastic and take it to school, where it is weighed. Then, in exchange for the plastic, they receive a voucher that can be redeemed towards their school fees. Eco Brixs then transports the plastic back to HQ so it can be recycled, paying the school for the plastic at the same time! Following financial hardships from the pandemic, this initiative is crucial for getting children back to school.
I will also have the chance to work with EcoBrixs' network of 26 youth "Eco Clubs" that have already trained 25,000 young environmental activists.
The €1,550 fundraising minimum goes directly to EcoBrixs and UCDVO. I will personally cover all individual expenses including flights, vaccinations etc.
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps create lasting positive change in Uganda. By supporting this campaign, you're not just helping me fulfill a volunteer commitment—you're directly investing in:
Cleaner environments for Ugandan communities
Educational opportunities for local children
Sustainable livelihoods for plastic collectors and EcoBrixs employees
Thank you for your donations and I'm incredibly grateful for any support you can provide!
Learn more about these organisations:
- EcoBrix: https://www.ecobrixs.org/
- UCDVO: https://www.ucdvo.org/
Organizer
Laura Mitchell
Organizer
County Mayo