How Uganda Crafts Are Transforming Our Environment
Uganda has a long history of craftsmanship and handcrafting. One of the most popular ways to make money in Uganda is through its thriving market for handmade goods. This country is known for its vibrant colours, unique designs and creative concepts. But one thing many people don’t realise about Ugandan artisans is that they’re also committed to sustainability especially when it comes to sourcing materials from local sources rather than overseas. Artisanal crafts are a huge hit in Uganda, with brightly coloured beads and recycled paper decorating products from all over the country.
Now, as the demand for these products grows and production increases, some companies are starting to wonder: how can we do this more sustainably. Artisanal crafts are a huge hit in Uganda, with brightly coloured beads and recycled paper decorating products from all over the country. Now, as the demand for these products grows and production increases, some companies are starting to wonder: how can we do this more sustainably?
One answer is to think about sustainability in terms of more than just environmental impact. The way that artisans make their goods matters as well: by harnessing local resources like clay and straw instead of importing them from afar; by using natural dyes instead of chemical agents; by making sure all workers are paid fairly (and not exploited). These are all important factors that affect both consumers’ buying decisions and the economic bottom line for manufacturers (who want to keep prices low enough so they can sell at affordable prices).
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Paper with a purpose
You can also make paper from grass, bamboo and other materials. If you have access to a printer or copier, this is an easy way to recycle old newspapers. If you don’t have a printer but still want to get creative with your recycled paper, try making a notebook or sketchbook out of old magazines by cutting out the sections that interest you and binding them together with glue.
You can also use tree bark as your base material for handmade notebooks (this will require some patience). Simply shred the pieces into small pieces with scissors before mixing them up in a bowl with some water. Let it sit overnight so that all the pieces soak up some moisture; then mix everything again until it forms into one big goopy mess! To get rid of any excess liquid from this mixture after drying overnight on parchment paper (which we recommend), simply heat up over low heat until steaming hot again—but not too hot because otherwise, those edges could burn easily!
Once ready for use again just dip into boiling water directly onto parchment paper which will protect any edges from burning while still allowing heat transfer without melting down completely.” Recycled paper is popular throughout the country, but it often comes at the cost of causing deforestation. You may be surprised to learn that paper is a renewable resource. Not only can the paper be recycled into new paper, but it can also be made from trees that have been cut down to make the paper in the first place.
This is why Ugandans are so excited about their crafty use of recycled materials—paper is a natural fibre and an important part of their lives. Paper comes from trees and has always been used for writing and printing documents as well as for making books, magazines, newspapers and more! In Uganda there are many types of trees used for making this type of material such as mulberry tree (mulye), jackfruit tree (jakwele), ebony tree (EBU) etc., all of which produce leaves similar in colour but vary slightly according to species due to genetic differences between them.
However, most common ones used locally include eucalyptus species like Eucalyptus globulus which grows very fast thus making them ideal sources when needed most urgently; furthermore these types provide better quality results than others because they contain higher amounts per acreage planted compared with other varieties found elsewhere in Uganda.”
One organisation has taken that worry out of purchasing these products, by turning to its lawn for paper material. The Green Umbrella Crafts uses grass gathered from its lawn to make cards, bookmarks and other stationary items that are stitched together by hand. The company’s goal is 100% committed to staying true to our name and conservation mission by making environmentally responsible choices when creating our craft products. The Jinja-based Green Umbrella Crafts uses grass gathered from its lawn to make cards, bookmarks and other stationary items that are stitched together by hand.
The Jinja-based Green Umbrella Crafts uses grass gathered from its lawn to make cards, bookmarks and other stationary items that are stitched together by hand. The group’s founder, Elizabeth Wamoyi, says the process of making each item takes about two weeks to complete but can take up to six months if there is a shortage of wild grasses available.
“We are 100% committed to staying true to our name and conservation mission by making environmentally responsible choices when creating our craft products,” said Green Umbrella artisans. “We want you as a customer, friend or family member at our events and exhibitions,” said Green Umbrella CEO Aude Bresse-Rocheveaux.
Bamboo Style
Bamboo is a sustainable resource that can be harvested in a way that doesn’t harm the environment. Bamboo is harvested using a method known as clumping, which involves cutting away the leaves and branches of individual plants before they have time to regrow. This prevents the overuse of resources and allows for more natural growth patterns within each plant.
Bamboo is used to make many crafts including boxes, baskets and canes (which are also referred to as “walking sticks”). These products are often made from recycled materials so they’re very eco-friendly! Other entrepreneurs have turned their attention to locally grown bamboo plants as a source of material for making crafts. The grasses are harvested by hand and then moulded into baskets, plates and other wares in workshops around the country.
Bamboo is a renewable resource, which means that it can be grown again after it is used. It also has the added benefit of being sustainable and eco-friendly since bamboo grows quickly and requires little water or fertilizer. Bamboo has been used as a material for centuries in East Africa because it is durable, lightweight and easy to work with. The grasses are harvested by hand and then moulded into baskets, plates and other wares in workshops around Uganda.
One company is trying to get even more use out of this natural resource by turning bamboo straws into an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic straws — which it says can be used over and over again for up to six months. The makers of BambooStraws Uganda are working on a process that they say will allow their product to be used as long as necessary while still being biodegradable, reusable and sturdy enough for everyday use.
“The bamboo straws are made from the leftover parts of harvested bamboo,” said founder Andrew Ugwenya in an interview with CNN about his eco-friendly company’s mission. “It takes about six months before we can compost them because they start breaking down into smaller pieces.”
Tree Free Alternatives
Bamboo straws are a great alternative to plastic because they can be used over and over again. They’re also biodegradable, so you won’t have to worry about them harming the environment when they degrade. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to drink your coffee in the morning or evening, try using paper straws from sustainable sources instead of plastic ones (or even better yet: make your own!) These reusable cups can be filled with tea or hot chocolate throughout the day—and if it gets too cold outside where you live, simply wrap them up in some tinfoil before putting them away until next year!
We hope you enjoyed learning about these innovative ways to make sustainable crafts in Uganda. As always, feel free to share the article with your friends by clicking one of the social media icons below!
