Eco Brixs
Eco Brixs is a Ugandan social enterprise that runs a closed-loop plastic recycling business in Masaka, collecting community plastic waste through 56+ buy-back centres and converting it into certified Eco-Products (bricks, pavers, lumber, furniture) for sale to construction firms and consumers, while creating income for 5,500+ marginalized collectors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersMasaka, Uganda
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Eco Brixs does
Eco Brixs is a Ugandan social enterprise (operating in partnership with UK Registered Charity 1184169) that runs a closed-loop plastic recycling business headquartered in Masaka, Uganda. The company collects plastic waste through a network of 56+ Community Buy Back Centres and Recycling Hubs across Southern Uganda, paying individual collectors per kilogram on a pay-as-you-go basis. Collected plastic is processed at the central Masaka factory using mechanical equipment including label removers, crushers, float separators, and dryers, producing sorted PET flake that is either sold to other closed-loop recyclers or fed into on-site manufacturing of Eco-Products (bricks, pavers, lumber, fence posts, benches, tiles, pots, mats, face shields, advertising stands, book covers, and caps).
The company's revenue model blends three streams: commercial sales of Eco-Products and PET flake to construction firms, businesses, consumers, and other recyclers; per-kilogram payments to community collectors (effectively a procurement cost rather than revenue); and grant and donation funding from institutional donors and platforms such as BigGive, the BBC Radio 4 Appeal, the Unilever/UK Government/EY TRANSFORM initiative, and various charitable foundations. Eco-Products are positioned as certified (Tech Labs Ltd), lower-cost, lighter, and more durable alternatives to concrete and timber, with B2B sales handled via direct quotation.
Eco Brixs has scaled from 2 tonnes of plastic collected in its founding year to 4,000+ cumulative tonnes and 5,500+ income recipients (targeting 6,500 by end-2026 and 13,700 within 3-5 years), with a stated 100+ full-time staff, phased national expansion including a planned 900-tonne processing factory in Jinja and operations in Northern Uganda, and specialized sites within the Nakivale refugee settlement. The model intentionally targets economically marginalized populations (70% youth collectors, 35% women, 50% of staff from the disabled community) and is supported by reputational endorsements including Earthshot Prize nomination, Terra Carta Supporter status, UNEP membership, and an RE:TV documentary.
Eco Brixs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Eco Brixs
- Legal name
- Eco Brixs
- Website
- https://ecobrixs.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Eco Brixs is a Ugandan social enterprise that runs a closed-loop plastic recycling business in Masaka, collecting community plastic waste through 56+ buy-back centres and converting it into certified Eco-Products (bricks, pavers, lumber, furniture) for sale to construction firms and consumers, while creating income for 5,500+ marginalized collectors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Eco Brixs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Recycled Plastic Building Materials
- NAICS
- Materials Recovery Facilities (56292), Waste Collection (56211)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Post-Consumer Plastic Collection & Sorting (MRF/PRF, Bale Supply) (EUAIAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Recycled Resin Trading & Distribution (PCR/PIR Commodity Markets) (EUAIAKAK), Recycled-Content Plastic Packaging (rPET, rHDPE, rPP) (IMALAMAC)
Keywords
Where Eco Brixs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Masaka
- HQ country
- Uganda
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices11 records
Markets served
Eco Brixs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Eco-Products Sales: Revenue generated from selling recycled plastic products including bricks, pavers, lumber, fence posts, furniture, tiles, and other construction/furnishing items. Products sold on open market to generate funds to purchase more plastic from community.
- PET Plastic Flake Sales: Processed plastic flakes sold to other closed-loop recycling organizations for them to make their own products.
- Donations and Grants: Funding from institutional donors, charitable foundations, and public donations through platforms like BigGive and CAF Online. BBC Radio 4 Appeal raised £46,734.
- Corporate Partnerships: Strategic partnerships with organizations like Unilever and EY through TRANSFORM initiative providing KSh 85.6 million funding.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Community Plastic Collection Payment |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | BigGive Matched Donations |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | BBC Radio 4 Appeal |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Eco-Products B2B Sales |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels13 records
Eco Brixs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Eco Brixs operates a closed-loop recycling system that purchases plastic waste from a network of 5,500+ community collectors across 56+ sites in Southern Uganda, processes it at its Masaka factory, and manufactures 20+ certified Eco-Products (bricks, pavers, lumber, fence posts, benches, tiles, pots, face shields, caps, book covers, mats, and advertising stands) for sale to construction firms, businesses, and consumers. Revenue from product sales funds continued plastic purchases, sustaining a self-sustaining circular economy while creating green jobs for youth, women, refugees, and people with disabilities.
Product overview
Eco Brixs operates a circular economy model that transforms collected plastic waste into a portfolio of Eco-Products sold on the open market. The product portfolio includes construction materials (Bricks, Pavers, Eco Tiles), plastic lumber products (Lumber, Fence Posts, Eco Benches), and consumer items (Eco Pots, Eco Caps, Book Covers, Face Shields, Eco Mats, Advertising Stands). Revenue from selling these products funds the purchase of more plastic from the community, sustaining the closed-loop system. The company also produces and sells PET Plastic Flake to other manufacturers. The products are marketed as green alternatives that are certified, cheaper, lighter, stronger, and more durable than traditional counterparts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Eco Bricks Flagship Eco-Product made from a mix of recycled plastic and sand through an extruding process. Certified by Tech Labs Ltd as stronger, lighter, and more long-lasting than concrete counterparts, sold to construction companies and builders in Uganda.
- Eco Pavers Interlocking flooring pavers made from recycled plastic for roads, driveways, patios, firepits, walkways, and playgrounds. Certified by Tech Labs Ltd as a concrete alternative for construction buyers.
- Eco Lumber Plastic lumber produced from recycled plastic waste that serves as a foundation material for other Eco-Products. Each pole recycles 6 kg of plastic and is stronger than wood with joints that can be fixed without nails or glue.
- Eco Fence Posts Fence posts made from 100% recycled plastic, each equivalent to 462 plastic bottles. Used to fence the Eco Brixs headquarters and sold to construction and agricultural buyers.
- Eco Benches Outdoor furniture made from 100% recycled plastic lumber. Each bench removes over 50 kg of plastic from the local environment, sold to businesses, schools, and public spaces.
- Eco Tiles Recycled plastic tiles produced in a variety of colours for covering indoor flooring and walls (kitchens, bathrooms). Each square meter recycles 2.5 kg of plastic waste.
- Eco Pots Plant pots made from leftover lumber used in other production processes. Each pot recycles the equivalent of 612 plastic bottles; light and easy to move, sold to consumers and businesses.
- Eco Mats (Coasters) Coasters made from 100% recycled plastic using the same process as Eco Tiles. Sold to consumers to protect furniture from drink stains.
- Face Shields Protective face shields produced from lids of collected HDPE plastic bottles. Over 400 were donated to local hospitals including Masaka Referral Hospital to protect key workers during COVID-19.
- Eco Caps Fashionable caps with brims made from recycled plastic inserted into fabric sourced from a local charity supporting Ugandan youths. Sold to consumers.
- Book Covers Book covers created from 100% recycled plastic to protect books from marks and tears. Custom colours available, sold to schools, students, and consumers.
- Advertising Stands Portable display items made from recycled plastic allowing businesses to showcase products and services in an environmentally friendly way. Can be taken down and re-assembled quickly.
- PET Plastic Flake Processed plastic flakes sorted by type using float-separation (PET bottles sink, lighter plastics float) and dried, bagged, and sold to other closed-loop recycling organizations so they can manufacture their own products.
Quantifiable outcome
- 4,000+ tonnes of plastic waste diverted from environment
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Eco Brixs
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Eco Brixs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
Eco Brixs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- BigGivecoreAnnual matched giving campaign platform. In 2025, raised £14,000+ for Southern Uganda expansion with 100% target achieved. Previous campaign raised £10,082 for Western Uganda expansion. Platform matches donations 1:1 during campaign periods.
- Tutator (Fondation Tutator)coreSwiss non-profit providing technology solutions. Won Tutator Forward 2023-2024 grant out of 800 applicants. Developing custom app for Eco Brixs to digitally capture impact data at 44+ Recycling Hubs, replacing paper-based system. Automatic uploads reducing processing time from days to minutes. Launch scheduled Autumn 2024.
- JAC TrustmajorLocal partner for Nakivale Refugee Settlement expansion. Helping establish plastic recycling sites and training communities on safe waste management practices.
- Malteser InternationalmajorHumanitarian organization partner for Nakivale Refugee Settlement operations. Supporting refugee-focused plastic recycling and livelihood programs.
- Hilden Charitable FundmajorCharitable foundation funding Nakivale Refugee Settlement expansion. Supporting establishment of recycling infrastructure and community programs.
- Office of the Ugandan Prime MinistermajorGovernment partner for Nakivale Refugee Settlement operations. Official coordination for refugee community plastic recycling programs.
- RE:TV / Sustainable Markets InitiativecoreProduced 'Recirculating Plastic' documentary featuring Eco Brixs closed-loop system. RE:TV Editor-in-Chief is HRH Prince Charles. Partnership showcases model internationally to sustainability experts and global audience.
- The Glass Passport ProjectminorPhotographer Richard Tilney-Bassett produced documentary about Eco Brixs business model and impact. Videos explain plastic problem and show community impact.
- Uganda MarathonminorEco Brixs was sponsor of Uganda Marathon event with 3,000 runners. 30 team members participated, raising money for causes across Masaka area.
- Uganda Green Enterprise Finance Accelerator (UGEFA)majorEU-funded 5-month accelerator program. First of its kind in Uganda helping green businesses develop business and finance skills to access funding for scaling. Eco Brixs participated in first session in Kampala.
- Footprints AfricaminorFeatured in Africa's first Circular Economy Report showcasing circular economy businesses across the continent.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)coreEco Brixs is a member of UNEP. Campaigns for reducing plastic usage and for fairer treatment of plastic collectors worldwide, including better pay and safer working conditions.
Scale indicators37 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Eco Brixs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Eco Brixs social profiles
Digital presenceEco Brixs compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Eco Brixs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Eco Brixs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Eco Brixs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Eco Brixs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Eco Brixs
What does Eco Brixs do?
Eco Brixs operates a closed-loop recycling system that purchases plastic waste from a network of 5,500+ community collectors across 56+ sites in Southern Uganda, processes it at its Masaka factory, and manufactures 20+ certified Eco-Products (bricks, pavers, lumber, fence posts, benches, tiles, pots, face shields, caps, book covers, mats, and advertising stands) for sale to construction firms, businesses, and consumers. Revenue from product sales funds continued plastic purchases, sustaining a self-sustaining circular economy while creating green jobs for youth, women, refugees, and people with disabilities.
Is Eco Brixs a public or private company?
Eco Brixs is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Eco Brixs founded?
Eco Brixs was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Eco Brixs based?
Eco Brixs is headquartered in Masaka, Uganda, in the Africa region.
How does Eco Brixs make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Eco-Products Sales are the primary driver. The others are PET Plastic Flake Sales, donations and Grants and corporate Partnerships.
Does Eco Brixs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Eco Brixs.
What industry is Eco Brixs in?
Eco Brixs's product category is Recycled Plastic Building Materials. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAIAKAA, Post-Consumer Plastic Collection & Sorting (MRF/PRF, Bale Supply), with a secondary code of EUAIAKAK, Recycled Resin Trading & Distribution (PCR/PIR Commodity Markets). Its NAICS code is 56292 and its SIC code is 4953.