Used Diapers Turned Into Charcoal: Nabweru Innovators Find Value in Waste

What the report says

A savings group in Nabweru North, Nansana Municipality, is turning used disposable diapers into cooking briquettes in an effort to reduce waste and create income, according to Nile Post. The initiative is led by Ronita Kisembo, who said the idea grew out of her experience dealing with diapers being dumped in toilets and the wider problem of poor waste disposal in the area.

The group’s process involves breaking down the diapers, removing the absorbent material, and mixing it with cassava flour and charcoal dust before shaping and drying the briquettes. Kisembo said her early attempts failed until she refined the formula with binding materials. She also said the project gained acceptance gradually after neighbors and family members tested the briquettes themselves.

Nile Post reported that the group now collects used diapers from households with young children to maintain supply, though some parents were initially hesitant to hand them over. The innovators also face practical difficulties, including renting workspace, limited equipment, and skepticism from some community members about hygiene and safety.

The report said the briquettes are being used by at least one customer, a restaurant operator in Nabweru, who described them as long-burning, economical and less smoky than ordinary charcoal. More broadly, the project reflects a local effort to turn a disposal problem into a business opportunity at a time when Uganda continues to face environmental pollution concerns and demand for affordable cooking fuel.