Multimedia 12 of 20

IDRC Photo:  Frederick Ibanda

Like many other cities in the developing world, Kampala, Uganda, suffers from polythene littering syndrome.  Every day, a large quantity of polythene sheets and bags (commonly known as BUVEERA) are left to litter the streets.  In this picture, we see one solution that Kampala residents have devised while waiting for authorities to find a long-term remedy. 

 

The residents have set up several flower and tree nurseries along the roads leading to residential districts, and there they use the polythene bags that once carried milk, fruit drinks and groceries as containers for seedlings.  This has become a viable business since home developers are always looking for plants to beautify their developments.  The innovation has also raised awareness that polythene bags have value if they are re-used, and encouraged similar uses.  For example, many Kampala residents now eat vegetables grown in re-used polythene bags.

Multimedia 12 of 20