How did the idea for Ecomak Recyclers come about?
Growing up in Bukere, a refugee host community in Kyegegwa district, I witnessed the dire consequences of poor waste disposal with plastics littering roads, clogging sewers, and even encroaching onto our homes with the worst being those days when it rained so heavily that we would spend the whole night draining water out of houses, and in 2005 at age 10, I contracted cholera where I was left with 10% chances of survival. More than 80% of the refugees in the Kyaka II refugee settlement do not have access to education and medical services and live in a community flooded with plastic waste. This kept haunting me until I began my degree in Biosystems Engineering where I realized I could transform the plastic waste in communities into eco-friendly plastic blocks and bricks.
On the other hand, I strongly believe access to education and healthcare is a fundamental human right regardless of one’s economic status. In reality, many people can’t get healthcare access and many children don’t go to school because they don’t have enough money due to the high costs of education and medicine.
Thus, we started a team focusing on providing poor community members in Kyaka II refugee camp with access to education and healthcare using an easily available resource – garbage – which we use as a raw material to make eco-friendly plastic bricks and blocks that serves as a replacement for concrete and clay bricks thus reducing plastic pollution and improving public education and health. Garbage is the best solution because almost every day every house produces garbage that is not used, so all citizens can join in with our program.
We were inspired by the German experience where their waste industry employs 250,000+ individuals, from garbage collectors to scientists, and generates revenues of 50 billion Euros annually.
What was your key driving force to become a social entrepreneur?
I love helping people who are in need, especially those who are marginalized and can’t get what they need in time. I am also passionate about saving the environment and this made me venture into waste management since it’s a big problem for many communities in Uganda.
How did you come up with the name for the venture?
Our venture was developed on the idea that we do work to save the environment. Ecomak comes from two words “Eco” – typically dealing with the environment and ecosystem – and “Mak” – which comes from “Make” – emphasizing that we make products that are eco-friendly while saving the environment.
How did you raise funding for your venture?
We have raised our funds from the founding team, friends, and grants.
What is your long-term goal with this product?
Our long-term goal is to construct houses for all refugees in Uganda using our plastic bricks and blocks.
Can you describe/outline your typical day at work?
How has being an entrepreneur affected your personal life?
I have been able to meet new people and made friends who are entrepreneurs as well. I have been recognized in society, for example, I was selected among the Top 40 CEOs in 2021 by the Global Excellence Awards and I have been nominated for inclusion in the Top 40 under 40 2021/2022 by New Vision, the country newspaper in Uganda.
However, nowadays I can’t find time to do personal work or even have a weekend for myself since I need to concentrate all my effort on developing the Ecomak Brand.
What motivates you to continue your work?
Whenever I see mothers and children in the settlement with a smile on their cheeks, benefiting from the work I do at Ecomak, this makes me happy and willing to work even harder.
What has been your most satisfying moment building eco-friendly products? Any anecdote.
My most satisfying moment is when I see customers purchase our products.
What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
To me, my favorite aspect is knowing that I have people depending on me because that motivates me to do the best work that I’m capable of.
What piece of advice would you give to college graduates who want to become entrepreneurs?
Patience and hard work; I advise them to focus on their goals and be patient because success may not come in one day but with time. More importantly, I would encourage them to work hard and be prepared to meet hurdles in their entrepreneurial journey because there are ups and downs.
What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs invest their time in?
Finding a mentor and establishing the right team to work with.
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Very impactful story, thanks for sharing Ronald’s story.