Nile Breweries and Yo-Waste pioneer Uganda’s first tech-enabled glass collection scheme

June 11, 2025 in Business, Companies by Editor

Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) staff collect post-consumer glass waste for recycling at Keshala depot in Jinja to commemorate World Environment Day. In partnership with waste-tech startup Yo-Waste, NBL has pioneered Uganda’s first tech-enabled glass collection system, collecting 63 metric tons of glass for recycling. The initiative aims to advance circular packaging and innovation in waste management, helping to reduce the environmental impact of post-consumer glass waste

In a major step toward advancing circular economy practices in Uganda, Nile Breweries Limited (NBL), in partnership with local tech startup Yo-Waste, has successfully concluded a pilot project that could potentially revolutionise the collection and recycling of used glass bottles. The initiative was launched under the AB InBev 100+ Accelerator Program and coincided with World Environment Day celebrations.

Between August 2024 and March 2025, the pilot collected 63 metric tons of post-consumer glass—surpassing its original 50-ton target. While Uganda currently lacks in-country capacity to recycle glass at scale, the collected material was exported to Tanzania, where it was processed into cullet and reintegrated into AB InBev’s bottle manufacturing process. The move represents a functioning example of a closed-loop packaging system in East Africa, even amid infrastructural constraints.

“This initiative shows that circular solutions are still achievable even with limited infrastructure,” said Emmanuel Njuki, Legal and Corporate Affairs Lead at NBL. “With 15 partner outlets across Kampala and a tech-driven collection model using the Yo-Waste mobile app, we demonstrated that local innovation can drive global sustainability standards.”

The pilot, which utilised digital logistics tools to coordinate glass collection from bars and other outlets, marks the first time in Uganda that tech has been directly applied to post-consumer glass waste logistics. It also comes as part of NBL’s wider ambition to scale environmentally responsible packaging models. The brewer already sells over 90pc of its products in returnable glass bottles and reports a recycling rate of over 90pc across its Jinja and Mbarara facilities.

“This pilot proves the potential of building a national recycling model,” Njuki added. “It’s about more than waste management—it’s about creating an ecosystem where businesses, communities, and the environment all benefit.”

With the pilot deemed a success, NBL now plans to expand the program geographically and launch consumer-facing awareness campaigns to promote recycling behavior at the household level. The company has committed to scaling up its work with local startups and informal sector players to build a broader infrastructure for circular packaging.

Yo-Waste, a Kampala-based waste tech company, has been a key player in digitizing urban waste systems in Uganda and views the project as a springboard for broader sustainability solutions. “This collaboration proves how tech can solve real-world waste challenges,” said a Yo-Waste spokesperson. “We’re excited to explore how this model can evolve to handle other materials like plastic or e-waste.”

According to officials, the pilot aligns with parent company AB InBev’s global sustainability target to ensure that 100pc of its packaging is either returnable or made from majority recycled content by 2025.

Although Uganda still lacks a domestic glass recycling plant, the success of the NBL-Yo Waste initiative sends the message that circular economy solutions are not the sole preserve of wealthier nations. With public-private partnerships, technological innovation, and a commitment to sustainability, even low-capacity environments can take tangible steps toward greener futures.