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UP-Plastic team partners with Coca-Cola Beverages

Wonderful news from team Makerere in Kampala:

September 28, 2018, the Up-Plastic Makerere team showcased their plastic recycling ideas and the compression machine during the launch of the Makerere University Green Week, organized by the University’s Sustainability department in the estates that attracted Uganda’s largest beverages company Coca-Cola. Upon presenting the compression machine, the Coca-Cola team was so amazed about the machine and the future prospects of the Up-Plastic Kampala project.

It is by then, that they decided to take up the idea as well as provide support to the development of other machines which the team plans to develop.

This follows Coca-Cola’s move to start the recycling workspace at Makerere University to reduce plastic waste disposal around the campus.

The Sustainability Program was established after the signing of an MOU between Makerere University and Bangor University in 2015 with a purpose of promoting sustainable development within the University and community. One of its focus areas is to engage with students to take the lead in promoting sustainability in the university and community. The Sustainability Program is currently engaging with students to actively work together, learn and create sustainable practices. Makerere University is this week joining other universities around the world to mark its very first Go Green Week Campaign.

October 1, 2018

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Up-Plastic Kampala wins a Community Heroes Award 2018 for Community Business Development

“The Community Heroes Award is an initiative of the Africa Centre for Peace Building and Awake Africa Magazine which seeks to identify, celebrate and honor individuals and organizations who have committed themselves to promote development and peace at the grassroots through social work, entrepreneurship, and selfless leadership.”

Learn more about the award and initiative here. 

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Full Project Report from Team Uganda has been published

Although it has been quiet here, it doesn’t mean that the Up-Plastic project hasn’t been driven forward. Team Uganda has continued to work hard and they have now published their final project report. This milestone will enable new progress and next steps. You can access the report on our issuu account and spread the word! Stay tuned.

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Project Report and Up-Plastic Kampala during Aalto Festival 2018

On Monday, May 21, we presented our Up-Plastic Kampala project during the final presentations event of the Sustainable Global Technologies (SGT) studio course 2018, which took place at the Harald Herlin Learning Centre at Aalto University’s campus in Otaniemi. We shared our and team Makerere’s project process, results, next steps and challenged the audience with a quiz about plastic as well as showcased how to determine which type of plastic you are holding in your hands. Simultaneously, our final project report was released plus an abstract report, which you will be able to find here! We hope you will enjoy reading about all the details of the project and insights that we have collected together with team Makerere. If you have thoughts or feedback, please feel free to contact us and share - we would love to hear from you! To a plastic-free future!

May 28, 2018

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Community outreach in Kalerwe-Kampala

Team Makerere has great news:

Following up on one of the Up-Plastic objectives, the Makerere team hosted a community outreach and awareness event in one of the largest slums in Kampala city, last Saturday (12/05/2018). The main importance was to sensitize and create awareness on how plastic waste can be extremely important to their economic and social life. Instead of just seeing it as waste, the team’s important mission was to teach the locals (Kalerwe slum citizens) how they can drop such perceptions and aim on attaching value to that waste. They were taught how they can collect plastic as a way of keeping the community clean and also how LCB-Units are developed.

Slums, especially in Kampala, have been the main spreading source of health complications and diseases due to waste that is hard to manage and control. However, KCCA, the Kampala city governing body, has been trying by all means to cut this.

It was around 2:30 pm when the Makerere team arrived in this community with the help of Mathias (an artist) and then moved door to door as we communicated about the event and were collecting plastics that were damped all over the community. More interested locals joined as the gospel was spread all over the slum and the final sensitization session was held at Godwin’s Primary School located in the same slum.

It was extremely amazing how they coordinated with the team and on learning what great value they can get from plastic waste, and upon unveiling the package of innovations the team had cooked. The session was so interactive and it generated mind-blowing ideas that are to be featured in the Up-Plastic project.

May 14, 2018

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Lab Work: Heat and Water absorption tests

Team Makerere progresses on their LCB unit ptototype development and shares their recent results on heat and water absorption lab work:

HEAT TEST

2 LCB Units in content ratios of two units. Different mix ratios of 60 plastic bottles and 5 volumes of sand (each of 250,000mm3 ) and 5 volumes of steel waste (each of 250,000mm3) [LCB-U 1]. And that of 50 bottles, 4 volumes of sand (each of 250,000mm3) and 5 volumes of steel waste [LCB-U 2].

The 2 blocks of dimension 50x50x100mm were put in the oven and subjected to the melting temperature of the major binding constituent, plastic (2600c). They were observed until that point, where the bricks started to melt.

Observations: For LCB-U1: It started showing melting signs after 20 minutes and later melted after 30 minutes. LCB-U 2: It started melting after 45 minutes.

Conclusion: The sample with lower mixed ratio has a higher heat resistance than that with higher mix ratios.

Recommendations: Depending on the melting points of the 2 samples, the bricks shouldn’t be used in places with a lot of heat above room temperature, for example kitchens, furnaces and factories that deal with heating in the manufacturing process. The brick should be used mainly in outdoors such as footpaths, parking lots and other places that aren’t subjected to extreme heat.

WATER ABSORPTION TEST

This describes the water test that was carried out on the 2 LCB-Units in content ratios of two units different mix ratios of 60 plastic bottles and 5 volumes of sand (each of 250,000mm3) and 5 volumes of steel waste (each of 250,000mm3) [LCB-U 1]. And that of 50 bottles, 4 volumes of sand (each of 250,000mm3) and 5 volumes of steel waste [LCB-U 2].

The 2 blocks were of dimension 50x50x100mm. The dry mass of each sample was obtained using a digital measuring scale. Then they were dipped /soaked in water for 24 hours.

After the 24 hours, the samples were removed from water and left to dry off dripping and surface water.

Their masses were then re-measured using the same scale. From there, the amount of water in grams absorbed by each unit were obtained and the percentage water absorption gotten as well.

Observations and Tabulations

The amount rate of water was obtained by using the formula;

Recommendations: From the experiments, it can be concluded that the LCB-Units are suitable and work perfectly in wet and iced conditions. They can be used in places with a lot of water because its absorption rate is extremely low.

May 7, 2018

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Lab Work: Compressive strength test on the LCB Units

Team Makerere reports:

Initially, the LCB Unit was a try-and-error but the team, with a strongly determined ambition, went ahead to subject it to compressive strength tests, for starters, and the results were quite excellent and encouraging. This was done in Makerere University’s structures lab.

LCB Unit samples made

Following the normal procedures, we described earlier in one of our blog posts that we sourced and collected the plastic wastes (PET bottles) around Makerere University campus, as well as steel waste (mill scale steel chippings) was obtained from Roofings ltd, and lake sand was obtained from local dealers in Kawempe, a Kampala city suburb. The steel mould with 12 compartments was fabricated from the University’s mechanical lab workshop.

Collected plastic and mould

How the test was done

Before the actual production was done, the team first gave a try, where 15 bottles of waste were melted with the compression machine and they realized that the whole thing wouldn’t work for just 15 bottles.

They however increased the number to 25 bottles for each sample that was tested. Correctively stating, each LCB Unit contained 25 PET bottles.

The sand was first subjected to sieve analysis test to reach the rightful gradation level before it was mixed with steel waste.

Percentages of sand and steel measured in volumes were determined and that is at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% . And the way the mixing was done was that, for each sample, if there was 0% steel, there was 100% of sand, and if there was 25% of steel, there was 75% of sand, in that order and for each sample. For each percentage set, there were 3 LCB units created as samples. So that amounted to a total sample number of 15 LCB units to be tested.

After the units were made, they were subjected to tests after 7 days, where before they were kept in a cool dry place; and before each unit was tested, it was first weighed using a weighing scale to get its mass in grams and its surface area determined.

The surface area of the unit was determinant on the dimensions of the mould which was 50x100mm.

The load in KN required to crash each sample, which was obtained using the “Universal Testing Machine” and this works in such a way, that a LCB Unit, each at a time, is put in the machine and it is subject to a load upon the surface area of the unit until it crashes. At that point, where the unit crashes, the corresponding load is obtained from the machine’s measuring scale.

The compressive strength in N/mm2 for each unit and the average compressive strength for each set of percentages was obtained by using the load subjected and the surface area of the LCB Unit.

From there, the lab team went ahead and analyzed the data and came to a conclusion that the LCB Unit is strong at a point where there is 50% sand and 50% steel waste.

This experiment stood at 7 days strength achievement, however there has to be another completion test to confirm the test, which has to be done after 28 days, as it is set by British standards.

Team analyzing data

March 23, 2018

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Team Makerere on the impact of the project

Over the years, Uganda Ministry of Health, Kampala Capital City Authority and the citizens have continuously complained about the rapid and constant increase of plastic use in the consumer products that end up as waste after use. They are ridiculing manufacturers of these products, tasking them to come up with sustainable solutions to recycle this waste. With the PET type of plastic waste dominating the environment, it really triggers an alarm of what can be done to diffuse all this valuably. To raise your expectations high, it’s what KCCA as the chief administrators of the city have been digging to find. To normalize and get your thoughts calmed down, Makerere University team manifested an idea from scratch that is supposed to restore the glory of Kampala in collaboration with the Aalto team from Finland.

The project “Recycling plastic and steel waste to produce low cost building units” is aimed at creating a sustainable environment in which we dwell as well as revolutionize the construction industry by producing affordable building units. Through creating awareness, waste management challenges can be curbed by adding value to waste.

The project will largely impact on the lives of the community and change people’s mind set on how they address plastic as waste. It will help people visualize different spectrums on how plastic can be recycled to improve their standards of living.

Conserving the environment by reducing uncompelled disposal of waste through setting up appropriate collection centers will cease exposing harmful components to the environment. Every day, tonnes of “what is dubbed as waste” is disposed in drain and landfills.

Following KCCA’s and Makerere University’s sustainability program objectives about solid waste management, the project is streamlined and directed towards achieving the objective and by far some machines have been developed while others are still in the development phase. These machines are supposed to ease the process through which any kind of plastic is recycled to produce any product and in this projects case, building units.

With this kind of setting, more and well-designed plastic centers shall be established following the powerful sensitization initiatives being undertaken. The project will create great impact on the community and environment sanitation, boost creativity in terms of what best can you craft from plastic waste and as well create employment to the locals.

March 23, 2018

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Visit to Vantaan Energia

Friday, March 16, Up-plastic team Finland visited Vantaan Energia at their waste-to-energy plant in Vantaa and learned about their company and operations. Vantaan Energia is one of Finland’s largest city energy companies. They mostly produce and sell electricity and district heat. Their biggest pride and joy is the waste-to-energy plant, the one we visited, which was completed in 2014 and puts unwanted waste to use.

We were warmly welcomed by our guide Teuvo, who is responsible for communications and told us all about Vantaan Energia, the waste-to-energy plant and how it works and patiently answered all our questions.

We heard a lot of details about how much waste arrives to the plant daily, we learned about processes and partner companies and how the waste is transformed into energy. 

Interesting to know is for example, that only the “mixed waste” from households is brought to the plant and is burned and transformed into energy, as other separately marked waste such as organic, plastic, paper, glass, metal waste etc. is picked up by other companies who then recycle it.

Only 2-3% of household waste goes to landfills and that 2-3% is usually coming from incineration centers. Approximately half of Vantaa is provided with heat by this plant, or if related to Helsinki metropolitan area, 1/8 of this area’s energy demand is produced at the plant. There are 7 or 8 waste-to-energy plants in Finland!

After getting the plant explained on a 1:78 miniature model in the visitor center, which was beautifully designed, we were able to visit the actual plant and peek into different parts of the processes, including watching the big gripper in action as well as seeing the operations room with many cameras monitoring the different steps. It was fascinating to hear that only about 5 people are needed to be present at this huge plant as everything else is mostly automated.

Our visit was a success as it was intriguing to hear about their technology and see such a well-engineered plant. Teuvo told us though that in general this system is not very sustainable in the long run. But for now, it is certainly the best one can do.

March 18, 2018

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The full story of building a Compression machine in Kampala

The story of our Compression machine starts in Helsinki, two weeks before our trip to Kampala. We found out about the Precious Plastic initiative during our investigation into finding possibilities for upcycling plastic. As one of our objectives is to support Makerere students to realize their ideas, we looked through the Precious Plastic machines and identified two machines that would be useful for the development of their LCB units: the Compression machine and the Shredder machine.

Photo: preciousplastic.com

With limited time to make decisions, we looked for possibilities to build these two machines early on. According to Precious Plastic stories, we found out that there were several parts that might not be commonly found in some regions. We considered to prepare those parts in Finland and started to investigate our options. By this time, we only had less than a week to make preparations. All the options we found were either too time intensive or too costly. However, these investigations were not fruitless as we found some possible methods on how to acquire those parts locally in Kampala. Building the machines with all the parts gathered locally is also more sustainable, as the people there can maintain or replicate the machines themselves. Nonetheless, without those uncommon parts the possibility of finishing the machines during our trip was not guaranteed. Therefore, we aimed at only starting the machine building process and to leave the machines to be finished by the Makerere team.

Once in Kampala, things quickly fell into place though. Dr. Venny suggested to arrange our planned workspace at Makerere campus. Initially, we wanted some community to be engage with the workspace, and the location would have been in that selected community. When we actually saw the campus, we realized that the Makerere University is a community in itself. The suggestion by Dr. Venny was instantaneously agreed on in our team, and the campus tour that afternoon confirmed our decision.

The location of the workspace heavily affected how we would be able to build the machine. With the support of CEDAT (The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology), we were able to request help from the Engineering department. This support included their staff and facilities. The Engineering department support changed our situation and we were able to fully collaborate with them, which meant that we reconsidered our plan and checked what they could offer for our project. They told us the speculated time for them to build the machines for us. It was then, that we saw the possibility of finishing those machines before leaving Kampala.

At this point, the Makerere team had been fully involved and we worked together as one team. We started our machine development by finding local prices for the parts we needed. Our budget was limited and this included every expense in our project. The more we could save on our machines, the more money we’d have to spend on other actions. We got the prices through the Mechanical Engineers and Electrical Engineers, since they know local prices through their works. Mr. Andrew from Mechanical Engineering was willing to give us some steel bars without any cost. However, the materials for making the Shredder machine blade, which consists of thick steel sheets, we would still have to pay for. For the electronic parts of the Compression Machine, Mr. Robinson gave us the prices of all parts, but there was one part that had to be ordered; a PID controller. The order time would take several weeks, which was not ideal. Nonetheless, Mr. Robinson suggested an alternative method for our machines, without using a PID controller. We then agreed with his recommendation for now.

In the next stage we faced a budget challenge. The thick steel sheets for the Shredder machine blade were very costly in Uganda. We would have to spend most of our budget on the Shredder machine, with the price that we were informed about. Therefore, we had to make a decision regarding our machines choice. The Shredder machine is used to shred plastic products into smaller pieces, so that they can be used in other machines. The Compression machine is the device that melts the plastic and reforms it into different shapes by making use of moulds. Considering the process of the LCB units, the Compression machine would be far more helpful for the Makerere team than the Shredder machine, as of now. The Compression machine allows Makerere students to melt plastics with precise temperature. The precise temperature is highly important for melting different type of plastic, since they all have different melting points. We realized that the Compression machine is mandatory for the Makerere students to develop their LCB units further, while plastic could still be manually cut without using the Shredder machine.

After we made a decision to build only the Compression machine, time was our next challenge. We had three and a half days to build the Compression machine, since we had already started the second week of our field trip. The actual machine building process started with getting the parts. We were introduced to Mr. Robert Gitta, an Electrical engineer, through Mr. Robinson. Mr. Robert suggested to drive us to town, where he would help us find the parts that we needed. Even though Mr. Robert’s involvement was not planned, we understood that his suggestions would greatly facilitate our process and we accepted his propositions. We manage to get a couple of crucial parts and proceeded with our machine building; the parts were an oven and a carjack.

After getting the machine parts on Monday, we initially wanted to build the machine without PID controller, which we had discussed with Mr. Robert and Mr. Robinson. However, an unexpected development came from Fimboo. Fimboo offered to give us all electronic parts form their unbuilt Compression machine, including the PID controller. Their donation would make the machine more reliable and also save some of our budget. Therefore, we decided to take their offer and immediately sent some of our team to Fimboo, located in Entebbe, that same afternoon. We were able to see that prolonging the process would greatly damage our machine progression. Even though there were several adjustments of plans and additional arrangements that had to be made, we managed to get all the electronic parts and finished a drawing for the Compression machine that day. There were still some additional parts left and Bruce and Jessica managed to acquire all of those parts before we started assembling the Compression machine.

The assembling process took two days, since we were constantly faced with challenges, for example, basic tools for cutting steel bars, electrical diagram took time to understand and limited amounts of welding staff. Nonetheless, we learned a lot from building the machine. We were all hands on with the machine building process, while being overseen and instructed by experts from both the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering department. Our team cut all the steel bars. Since none of us had experience or skills in welding, this process was done with the help of Babu Talik. This was also the case with electrical wirings; Mr. Edward, an employee of Mr. Robert, was commissioned to do all the wirings. Our team was assisting Mr. Edward and worked with other tasks that did not require electrical proficiencies. The control box was designed by us and we helped in many re-assembling processed of the oven that we used for the Compression Machine.

We were half a day late in our schedule and we missed the chance to test the machine before the Friday the 23rd event. Nonetheless, we managed to finish the machine in time for the event and we succeeded in making our first pure PET plastic prototype on Friday. The prototyping process in the event was not as smooth as we had hoped it to be. There were factors of time and temperature that we had to find out on the spot, which took the time of the entire event to discover. In the end, with some tips from Mr. Benjamin of Fimboo, our first prototype from the Compression machine was finished!

Photo by Mark Rujumba

Building the Compression machine in less than five days would not have happened without contributions from the people we met in Uganda. We understand that knowing the right people is essential, always, and it was especially crucial to our machine building process and also our entire project. However, without our ability to seize those opportunities that emerged, we would not have been able to achieve what we did. We had to make constant changes of plans and a lot of improvisations. We had to always consider and reconsider options. Those actions can only happen in a team with good dynamics, and we were fortunate to have a great one.

March 5, 2018

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Team Makerere’s Project Clinic on Project execution status

Monday's project clinic proceeded with evaluations on how the 2 weeks of intensive project work was concluded. With the help of one or our mentors Matleena, the team was able to come up with fears, hopes and plans for the project with seeing a successful project as a biggest hope - developing all the machines needed as planned.  The team as well laid goals with which it is targeting to achieve by the end of the project. It was exciting when it came to personal experiences acquired as the team articulated and evaluated each other’s responsibilities - laying in place strategies to make the project revolutionary.

February 27, 2018

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A week with the eyes of team prototyping

Our sub-team worked with prototyping the LCB unit. The idea was to collect all the materials needed for the LCB unit, build and work with the mould and start planning and designing laboratory experiments needed for testing the strength and other characteristics of the LCB unit.

Materials were easily available, so on Monday afternoon we had them all; including sand, steel slag and PET-bottles. The rest of the week we spent most of our time with the mould. We wanted to concentrate on the mould because without a mould there would be no block. And we were really eager to try our compression machine on the event on Friday.

Joseph did drawings for the mould and found a place that sells scrap steel. Things started to roll, and we went to buy the steel, and after we had all the materials, we started to put the mould together.

At first, we thought that building a mould, basically a metal box, is easy, but it turned out that because of small details, it is actually more time-consuming. The sides of the mould weren’t exactly straight so we spent some time smoothing the edges of a lid to make it fit.

We got help from mechanical engineers for welding our mould together and Clare did an amazing job with the lid, and finally on Thursday afternoon it fit almost perfectly.

Another thing we worked on that week was testing the coming LCB unit. We discussed about ratios of materials, possible tests, which ones would be the most important ones and how the tests should be performed to have reliable results. In that sense too, Thursday was a successful day because we were able to find professional help for designing the tests and for actual testing afterwards.

During the Friday event, we got the chance to use our mould and try to make a block out of PET-bottles. However, at first we had to cut a lot of those bottles! It was surprising how much PET-pieces are needed for one block. Bruce calculated that 2,5 kg of these shredded plastic pieces would be needed to make one building block out of PET. After a few hours of cutting (later the Shredder machine would certainly be of help) and melting, we held a PET-block in our hands. It was a great and inspiring moment.

It was amazing how all this happened in such a short time. The process with the LCB unit will continue but this experience, that we were able to really do something concrete, will definitely boost this process.

February 26, 2018

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Friday 23  – the Up-plastic event!

With the aim to engage Makerere community into our project and spread awareness of the potential value and market for plastic waste, we decided to organize an event. Everything happened very spontaneously, since we only had four days to prepare, while also aiming to build a machine and create a framework for prototyping during the same week. Magically, it all happened! Next to showcasing and testing the “brand new” and self-built compressor machine (which would find its new home at Makerere School of Fine Arts by the end of the day) we had wonderful artists come and create art out of plastic as well as a selection of different plastics prepared to show students and visitors all that’s to know about it. Our friends from Fimboo also supported the event with their precious knowledge and wonderful products and our Makerere team presented their LCB Unit prototypes. The event was organized under the hat of the Makerere Sustainability Program which helped us to spread the word and who has organized another one of their Go Green Weeks last week at Makerere University. But long story made short: The event was wonderful in every way. Many interesting and valuable questions were asked, knowledge was shared and awareness was raised. We could not have been more happy!

Our team had gone through our hopes and fears before the event. Our fears ranged from heavy rain with no visitors to various (even hazardous) technical problems with the Precious Plastic Compressor Machine. We hoped for enthusiastic and fruitful conversations, ideas for future collaborations and obviously fun times! Our hopes were exceeded and like Nokia back in the day, we really felt like we connected people. We had a pleasure of having Mark Rujumba to capture the day with his camera, thank you! Photo credits for this article go to him. 

February 25, 2018

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Friday's showy event notes

Team Makerere reports:

Friday began with quick arrangements at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology towards the showcase event. By 9:30 am, the function had already commenced, and people were already arriving. Exhibiting different categories of plastics, products you can get from recycling plastic waste and machines you might require. It was a successful event with high people turn-up, asking all kinds of wonderful questions about plastics as they sought for explanations and ideas. The Fimboo team from Entebbe and the Makerere University Sustainability Program team were present as they showcased their work and ways you can add value to waste sustainably. The compression machine attracted multitudes of people as most of them inquired on how to operate and get a product out of it. Positive responses were obtained from almost every person that attended the function. They left well knowing how best you can recycle plastic waste.

The event was sealed off with a certificate awarding ceremony to the team.

The happiest moments arose when the team arrived at Bruno's home, the EcoArt Uganda director. It was one of those evenings you would wish to make a daily routine. The Art and design exhibited both inside and outside his house would calmly get down your heart and you would feel proper blood flow in your veins. The serenity that clouded the atmosphere with soothing chilly evening winds sweeping across our faces caused instant happiness. The melodic songs played by Jessy ensued joy within the team as they shared wonderful stories. The drinks and food we devoured seemed supernatural to the extent that it brought cross sectional smiles on our faces. Talking of the hospitality of his family and friends who ensured continuous flow of KB as people shared ideas and opinions were super amazing. The whole team (Aalto and Makerere) was trapped into a basket of happiness as they exchanged their experiences both socially and on the project.

It was an amazing day.

February 24, 2018

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Compression Machine Development Story

Bruce reports on the machine team’s week:

One Monday 19th Feb, the machine team started its week with machine parts hunting downtown Kampala city with the help of Robert, the Electrical Engineer. The team wondered and meandered around different second-hand electrical shops in pursuit for a suitable oven to use. Luckily enough, after several hours of navigation amidst stack vehicles and boda boda in jam, the team managed to land onto this shop that had exactly what they needed. The shop was really interesting with all its inside stamped with brand new and second-hand electrical components. The team looked around the shop and right above they could witness this ram-shackled oven that looked as if it was damped around 600BC. You can’t imagine that it is working as we speak.

Well, after bargaining the team managed to purchase this shell.

As they drove back, they realized that they really needed to purchase car jack as per the Precious Plastic compression machine design. Without any fat hustle, the car jack was purchased and ready for the set up.

The day was winded up with a strategic plan on the other electronic components and materials that were required.

Tuesday was an extremely lucky day when our friends and players from Fimboo in Entebbe Uganda volunteered to give a hand upon machine development by offering a PID controller and thermostat that were to be implanted into the oven. It was really an amazing day as 2 of the machine team (Bruce and Anna) took an executive ride to Entebbe and back to get this equipment. Other team members (Beam and Aggie) took it up to freshly design the structure (frame/table) upon which the oven was to stand. The day was sealed with discussions fronting different ways with which the electronic parts would be mounted onto the oven.

On Wednesday, together with Philip, the Mechanical Engineer, the frame building was officially kick started. The day was super exhausting as the machine team faced machines eye to eye. Bruce and Anna cut all the required steel members to the right size as Philip welded them together to fit the design. Beam and Aggie were deeply busy connecting wires with the help of Robert to make sure that the oven works. It was quite a wonderful experience that everyone left the lab different. On this day, the bottom frame and the mold holder were completed.

Thursday was the D-day for machine development. Adding to the super exhausting work that was executed on Wednesday, the compression machine was finished. The jack was able to be fixed onto the frame, welded a holding plate above it and everything gotten in position. With the help of Mr. Edward, the Electrical Engineer, the oven was able to be wired up with all controllers fixed on their respective positions.

All set was ready by 5:00pm.

February 22, 2018

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Adventure to electronic waste heaven

We started a new week fully energized from our weekend trips. Our team explored both natural and urban treasures of Uganda; the Sipi Falls by Mount Elgon in the eastern part of the country, Jinja – the adventure capital and source of Nile as well as some cultural sites and nightlife in vibrant Kampala. Besides reloading our batteries we gained deeper insights on the culture, landscapes and nature of Uganda.

Ambitious might be an understating word to describe our plans and goals for this week. However, we have an amazing team of 11 ready to get hands-on with the work. We started sharp at 9 am on Monday morning by working in sub-teams we established on Friday:

1) Machine building team,

2) Prototyping team and

3) Awareness/Event team.

Today in the blog we follow the adventure of the machine building team to the downtown of Kampala, hunting parts for a compressor machine.

Building the Precious Plastic Compressor Machine turned out not to be as smooth and easy as we had expected. We found out that the key components of the machine were not accessible in our time schedule. Luckily we were introduced to an electrical engineer Robert from Makerere University through several connections. Collaborating with Robert, we found a way to improvise and substitute the missing parts. We hopped into Robert’s car and started our journey towards downtown with a mission to buy the most critical part: an affordable second-hand oven.

Running through the busy streets we visited tons of fascinating scrap and electronic waste stores stocked up with different components and self-made solutions. We made an interesting observation: the value of broken electronics is extremely high in these markets, where back in Finland most of us would even pay someone to pick up their broken washing machine or oven.

After intensive hunting we finally found the right oven for us and through bargaining we ended up to an agreeable price and happily carried our new machine part to the car. On the way back we also made a good deal for a car jack to act as the compressing part. Being very satisfied with the catch of the day, we can mainly thank Robert for the progress we made. We have learned already many times that collaborating with the right people is very crucial for our project.

Short news from other teams

Our prototyping team got a head start during the weekend as Joseph already contacted stakeholders and made arrangements for needed raw materials. The next big step for prototyping team is creating a mold for testing with the compressor machine.

Awareness team is in charge of organizing an event at the campus on Friday. The aim of the event is to create awareness of the potential value and existing markets of plastic waste and to initiate creation of a plastic up-cycling community at Makerere University. Plastics chemistry, trash bin workshop, showcasing, plastic art activities facilitated by local artists and many other exciting activities are planned to get hands on with the material while sharing information of our project and the work of others too.

February 19, 2018

[up-plastic-blog]

About action, pressure and roles

A note from team Makerere:  Nowadays, amongst startups, you will most likely come across keywords like "Action”, “Pressure” and “Roles" as part of a success talk - be it in joy, work and melancholy states. These words are strong and energetic in such a way that they define a lot of things that prevailed and those that are to be executed in the next days, just in single words. It's pretty much amazing how the "Up-Plastic" team extracted these crucial words from a long and exploitative session together as they reviewed their past activities and knowledge they gained from trips and project clinics. These three keywords were rated 5 stars (5*) because of the magnitude they hold in executing project goals. Action brings the fact that every team member is bound to execute work towards the success of the project.An LCB-Unit can be touched, felt and smelt whenever there is action with energy. Pressure tickles our minds to always think faster and make decisions, and with teamwork pressure can be diffused and ceased.The word Roles takes us back to the fact that work gets easy and exciting when team members share and distribute tasks. It's really fascinating, after a whole day of work, to see that people are at the same page congratulating each other's done roles.

At Up-Plastic Kampala, these three words keep us shielded for anything to the extent that we get value out of trash. We get waste (plastic), use magic, and make something amazing from it. Are you fuddled? We recycle.

February 19, 2018