Ecoplastile is a CleanTech company on a mission to end waste and accelerate the world’s transition to a circular and green economy. Their project, WastePays, provides a way for people to be paid and rewarded for climate action implemented in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement with support from Care Denmark through CARE International in Uganda and funded by Innovation Norway and the Danish Government.

Meet Nicole Maholo, a beneficiary of Ecoplastile. Nicole, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), found herself in Uganda’s Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in 2016, struggling to rebuild her life. She turned to mushroom growing for income.

However, with the groundbreaking introduction of WastePays, a digital currency-based program, Nicole now manages a successful plastic collection micro-business, earning $100 monthly. Her team has cleared 1.656 metric tonnes of plastic waste, created 7 green job opportunities while mitigating environmental challenges.

Nicole envisions expanding the project by collecting 60 tons of plastic annually, empowering more refugees, and fostering community-driven positive change by 2030. Her journey inspires resilience and hope for refugees worldwide. For Insight Story