Shamim Naluyima shows how Ugandan social enterprises can turn plastic waste into tools for learning and livelihoods.
Plastic waste remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges in Uganda, where discarded bags often clog drainage systems, contribute to flooding, and degrade public spaces. For Shamim Naluyima, these everyday scenes of pollution became the catalyst for action.
Naluyima is the founder of EduPlastics, a Ugandan enterprise that transforms discarded plastic into educational resources and durable products. The organisation produces items such as backpacks, rulers, and teaching materials, which are distributed to schools in low-income communities. According to EduPlastics, the project is designed to reduce environmental degradation while also addressing gaps in access to learning materials.
Since its establishment, EduPlastics has diverted large quantities of plastic waste from landfills. Over 3,000 kilograms of plastic waste have been upcycled within a year, diverting significant refuse from landfills and natural habitats. The initiative also provides employment opportunities, with women forming a significant part of the workforce in both waste collection and production.
EduPlastics has complemented its recycling work with community outreach. Some of its initiatives aim to ensure that children in disadvantaged schools receive educational supplies, though the scale of these efforts differs depending on available funding and partnerships.
In addition to EduPlastics, Shamim Naluyima is also co-founder of Reform Africa, another social enterprise that upcycles polythene waste, commonly referred to in Uganda as “kaveera.” The organisation converts the waste into waterproof bags and accessories. Like EduPlastics, Reform Africa emphasises women’s involvement, from sorting and cleaning plastic to sewing finished products.
Production starts from collecting the plastic bags from dumpsites. More than 50kg of plastic is collected every month by a team of single mothers who receive a fair rate. Reform Africa has carried out awareness campaigns to highlight the health and environmental risks posed by single-use plastics.
The organisation’s work was recognised in 2019 with the Social Impact Award Uganda, underscoring its contribution to community-based solutions to plastic pollution.
Beyond these flagship ventures, Shamim Naluyima’s dedication extends into broader social innovation spaces. She has participated in international initiatives such as the UNLEASH Lab Talent programme, which brings together young innovators to collaborate on sustainable development projects.
Shamim Naluyima shines a light on the opportunities and the challenges of tackling plastic waste through local innovation as she combines environmental goals with practical community benefits via EduPlastics and Reform Africa. Her work highlights the growing role of social enterprises in Uganda’s waste management sector. She is transforming plastic pollution into a profitable venture while creating a greener future for Uganda and Africa at large.
