Ugandan students turn plastic waste into bricks, win trip to continental contest

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Eight teenage innovators from Aga Khan High School have developed a groundbreaking way to turn plastic waste into affordable building materials, an idea that has won them a place to represent Uganda at a continental innovation contest in Abuja, Nigeria, this December.

The team, operating under the junior corporate identity Renewablocks JA Company, emerged as winners at the 2025 Junior Achievement (JA) Company of the Year (COY) Competition held at Motiv Bugolobi in Kampala. Their ingenuity secured them a sh500,000 cash prize, certificates of excellence, visas, and air tickets to the JA Africa finals.

Teenage innovators from Aga Khan High School celebrate after they emerged the winners of the 2025 Junior Achievement (JA) Company of the Year (COY) Competitions held at Motiv in Kampala on Thursday 25 September 2025. (Photo by Colleb Mugume)

The Kampala contest held at Motiv Bugolobi on Friday brought together 14 student companies drawn from secondary schools across the country. Participants pitched business ideas to a panel of judges from Uganda’s business and development community, including Bankers from Absa, demonstrating innovation, teamwork, and entrepreneurial skills.

Plastic waste into bricks and fertiliser

Renewablocks impressed judges with their process of melting plastics, mixing them with sand, and moulding the mixture into durable pavers and bricks. But the project goes a step further by capturing toxic gases released during melting.

“We are very aware of the toxic gases such as carbon dioxide,” explained company CEO John Arinaitwe. We react these gases with potassium hydroxide to produce potassium carbonate, a vital raw material in fertiliser manufacturing. This gives us a dual income stream since we sell both the bricks and the salts.”

So far, the team has sold 50 units, with pavers priced at sh500 each and bricks at sh600 each, while their potassium carbonate salts fetch sh1,600 in small transparent tins. Judges praised the model for tackling Uganda’s mounting waste problem while offering cost-effective housing alternatives.

Celebrating youth-led innovation

The JA COY Competition, now in its 15th edition, challenges students to design businesses that address pressing social and environmental issues. This year’s theme, “Action for Climate Transformation (ACT),” emphasised the role of youth-led solutions in driving sustainability.

Cresta International Christian School team under their MVV JA Company explaining to the judges how their innovative products, the MVV Lungly and MVV Storm work. They emerged the first runner-up. (Photo by Colleb Mugume)

“This competition is not just about winning; it is about equipping our young people with the mindset, skills, and confidence to become innovative leaders and entrepreneurs,” said Tricia Kwizeera, Executive Coordinator at JA Uganda.

Pamela Turyatunga, Sustainability Manager at Absa Bank Uganda and one of the judges, echoed that sentiment. “At Absa, we are committed to empowering the next generation to become solution-driven leaders. Our partnership with JA Uganda reflects our mission to nurture young innovators who will shape the future of business and society.”

Other winners honoured

Renewablocks were not the only students to shine. Cresta International Christian School, which fielded an all-girl team under their MVV JA Company, took second place and sh300,000 for their products, the MVV Lungly and MVV Storm. They also received the School of the Year Award for outstanding collaboration.

Inshuti Vanessa of Kololo Senior Secondary School was recognised as an Exceptional Student Leader, while Xola Software Company from Ndejje Senior School won the Global Possibilities Award for showcasing international market potential.

Students of Kampala Diplomatic International School showcasing their innovation during the competition. (Photo by Colleb Mugume)

The Client Focus Award went to Game Room, a creative team from King’s College Budo who designed electronic games, while JA Air Cycle from Wampeewo Ntakke Secondary School earned third place and sh200,000 for their innovative air-filtering technology.

Eyes on Abuja

For the Aga Khan High School team, the Abuja contest is more than a competition — it’s a chance to inspire. “We are excited to represent Uganda,” Arinaitwe said. “Our innovation is about protecting the environment while providing affordable housing solutions. We hope to show other young people that business can solve real community challenges.”

With their blend of creativity, environmental awareness, and entrepreneurship, Uganda’s teenage innovators are showing that Africa’s future problem-solvers are already hard at work.