By Julius Nkunda and Alex Gahima
Local football legend and Coach Andy Rwigema says turning Plastic waste into lucrative, durable and affordable real estate products, is a lifelong dream that is finally coming true.
Coach Andy, is revered among Kisoro Sporting circles for his contribution as a midfielder for teams such as Old- timers Mbarara (1995-1997), Maji F.C (1997-1999), Simba F.C (2000-2002), Mukungwa 408 Brigade Rwanda (2004-2005)
Rwigema finally closed the chapter on active football in 2011 and returned home after being instrumental in the formation of Musanze F.C
Conversion of plastic waste into eco-friendly products such as pavers, building poles is not new technology am afraid, but it is a social cause, very few people are willing to take up.
Rwigema, who operates both in Uganda and Rwanda says, the amount of Plastic waste generated in Kisoro Municipality alone is disheartening.
Statistics from the year 2020 revealed that in Uganda, more than 600 tons of plastic is disposed of each day.
With no formal waste collection, over 90% is sent to landfill or burnt illegally.
The small percentage that is recycled is often shipped abroad instead of being leveraged to support the local economy.
A bio- chemist by training from Kyambogo University, Rwigema says, he decided to start the business so that ordinary people can be a part of the process of conserving the environment but also afford to build homes for themselves.
“It is not enough to collect and burn plastics, instead why not collect them and put them to use”, Rwigema says.
Using his position as a football coach, Rwigema has inspired teams to collect plastic waste before and after every football match.
His own daughter, Agasaro Bonita Rwigema is actively involved in campaigning for a cleaner environment as a Climate Action Now Youth Ambassador.
Rwigema confesses that converting plastic waste into building materials as a business model is also aimed at helping retiring sportsmen have a way of sustaining a life of dignity after the final whistle.
According to Coach Andy, many footballers who have tasted the limelight often retire with nothing to their name, not even a house to live in.
Little known fact, Coach Andy is also a Karate instructor and table tennis instructor.
“I want to encourage my fellow sportsmen to invest in this venture because it can support them financially and save the environment, Rwigema explained.
Recent studies reveal that a person who builds using Plastic materials save up to 40% in money as compared to using cement and concrete.
Rwigema believes that the industrial park in Kibaya, Bunagana will help businesses like his to support sustainable development and employ young people who can be used to collect bottles, sort, sensitize and manufacture quality products for the market.
“One fact remains, plastic waste is not going anywhere, anytime soon. So, what can we do about it? Rwigema says.
The biggest challenge the industrial park can solve for small companies in the plastic business is access to modern machinery that can be used to shred and process plastics to produce high quality products.
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