GIZ Natures Case Study

Business development support to 10 PET Plastic Recycling Hubs in Kampala and the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA)

Snapshot

The approach in executing this project involved conducting a thorough capacity needs assessment of PET plastic recycling hubs to understand their business goals, strengths, and areas needing attention, using methodologies such as reviewing secondary data, conducting site visits, and engaging in key informant interviews. Parameters for assessment included evaluating the impact of COVID-19, identifying training and BDS needs, assessing the level of local authority engagement, and determining the expected number of participants and training locations. Preliminary findings from field visits informed tailored interventions, including designing training programs focused on financial recovery and business model redefinition, and engaging with local authorities for support. Continuous monitoring and evaluation ensured the effectiveness of interventions, contributing to the hubs’ growth and sustainability.

Challenges

Limited Capacity and Resources: PET plastic recycling hubs in Kampala and the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area faced constraints in terms of capacity and resources needed to operate efficiently. This included inadequate infrastructure, equipment, and technical expertise, hindering their ability to effectively manage recycling operations.
Impact of COVID-19: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing challenges faced by the PET plastic recycling hubs, leading to disruptions in supply chains, reduced demand for recycled materials, and financial strain. The pandemic highlighted the need for tailored interventions to help these hubs recover and adapt to the changing business landscape.
Training and Business Development Needs: Many PET plastic recycling hubs lacked access to comprehensive training and business development services tailored to their specific needs. This limited their ability to optimize operations, implement sustainable practices, and explore new market opportunities.
Local Authority Engagement: Limited engagement and support from local authorities posed a challenge for PET plastic recycling hubs, particularly in terms of regulatory compliance, access to permits/licenses, and infrastructure development. Strengthening collaboration with local authorities was essential for addressing regulatory barriers and creating an enabling environment for hub operations.
Business Model Redefinition: Some PET plastic recycling hubs struggled with outdated or unsustainable business models, inhibiting their growth and long-term viability. There was a need to redefine business models to ensure profitability, environmental sustainability, and social impact alignment.
Monitoring and Evaluation: The lack of robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms hindered the ability to assess the effectiveness of interventions and track progress toward desired outcomes. Establishing proper monitoring and evaluation frameworks was crucial for evaluating the impact of support.

Our Approach

Holistic Needs Assessment: Goldstone Consulting conducted a comprehensive capacity needs assessment of PET plastic recycling hubs, going beyond surface-level challenges to deeply understand their business goals, strengths, and areas needing attention. This thorough assessment provided valuable insights into the specific needs of each hub, enabling tailored interventions.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing methodologies such as reviewing secondary data, conducting site visits, and engaging in key informant interviews, Goldstone ensured that all interventions were grounded in data and evidence. This approach allowed for informed decision-making and prioritization of interventions based on the identified needs and challenges.
Tailored Interventions: Goldstone implemented tailored interventions based on the preliminary findings from field visits and the capacity needs assessment. This approach ensured that interventions, such as designing training programs focused on financial recovery and business model redefinition, directly addressed the unique challenges faced by each PET plastic recycling hub.
Stakeholder Engagement: Goldstone actively engaged with local authorities to garner support and address regulatory barriers hindering the operations of PET plastic recycling hubs. By fostering collaboration and dialogue with local authorities, Goldstone created an enabling environment for hub operations and sustainability.
Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: Goldstone established robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the effectiveness of interventions and measure progress towards desired outcomes. This continuous feedback loop allowed for course corrections and adjustments to interventions, ensuring their relevance and impact over time.
Focus on Sustainability: Goldstone prioritized long-term sustainability by addressing challenges such as limited capacity, business model redefinition, and local authority engagement. By ensuring that interventions were not just short-term fixes but contributed to the overall growth and sustainability of PET plastic recycling hubs, Goldstone aimed to create lasting impact in the sector.

Innovation & Results

Goldstone Consulting innovatively addressed the diverse needs and challenges of PET plastic recycling hubs by clustering participants based on their specific requirements and levels of development. Tailored interventions were designed to tackle issues such as formalization, leadership, governance, and business development services, with a focus on practical support and close follow-up post-training. Goldstone’s expertise led to improved governance structures, enhanced business skills, and increased resilience of the PET plastics sector.

Quantitative Achievements

Number of Groups Trained: The BDS training program successfully trained a total of 8 PET plastic recycling hubs across various locations. Each hub represented a group of individuals dedicated to waste management and recycling activities.
Number of Individuals Empowered: The training program directly empowered approximately 60 individuals who were actively involved in the operations of the PET plastic recycling hubs. These individuals gained valuable skills and knowledge in business development, waste management, and market engagement, enabling them to contribute more effectively to their respective hub’s success.
Number of PET Hubs that Benefited: A total of 8 PET plastic recycling hubs benefited from the training program, receiving tailored support and guidance to improve their operations and sustainability. These hubs ranged from small community-based organizations to more established businesses, all of which experienced positive transformations as a result of the training.