Efforts to address the growing challenge of plastic waste in Fort Portal City have received a boost following the launch of a new PET collection centre aimed at strengthening recycling and promoting responsible waste management.
The facility, established through a partnership between Crown Beverages Limited and WastePays, is expected to improve plastic waste collection while creating income opportunities for local waste collectors.
Environment officials in Fort Portal City say the city is increasingly struggling with poor waste disposal and limited capacity to manage some categories of waste, particularly plastics.
They warn that the rising volumes of plastic waste are overwhelming the existing waste management systems, posing a threat to both the environment and public health.
Speaking during the launch, Fort Portal City Environment Officer Gladess Mirembe said the city continues to face challenges in handling plastic waste due to inadequate disposal systems and limited infrastructure.
“Plastic waste remains one of the biggest challenges in Fort Portal City. The volumes we are receiving continue to increase, yet the systems we have for managing this waste are still limited. Facilities like this PET collection centre will help us improve plastic recovery and reduce environmental pollution,” Mirembe noted.
The new facility will serve as a structured collection point where plastic waste, particularly PET bottles, will be aggregated before being transported for recycling.
The Communications Manager at Crown Beverages Limited Elizabeth Pearl said the initiative is part of the company’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible plastic waste management.
“This PET collection centre is meant to strengthen structured plastic collection in Fort Portal and surrounding areas. By partnering with WastePays, we want to ensure that plastic waste is collected, sorted and recycled instead of ending up in the environment,” Pearl said.
She added that the project will also support communities by creating income opportunities for waste collectors who gather recyclable materials.
“We are also looking at empowering waste collectors and local communities. Plastic that was previously considered waste will now become a source of income while contributing to environmental conservation,” she added.
Officials involved in recycling say the centre will improve efficiency in plastic waste recovery and increase the volume of materials converted into reusable products.
Chief Executive Officer of Ecoplastile Franc Kamugisha said the partnership will help strengthen Uganda’s recycling ecosystem.
“This initiative will improve the efficiency of plastic waste collection and recycling. When plastics are properly collected, they can be transformed into valuable products such as construction materials, which helps reduce environmental pollution,” Kamugisha said.
Other centres are already operational in Gulu, Jinja, Hoima, and Kasese, forming part of Crown Beverages’ wider sustainability agenda to promote responsible plastic waste management across Uganda.
The expansion is expected to significantly reduce plastic pollution while supporting circular economy efforts in the Tooro and Rwenzori regions.