The idea for our Candle Bricks arose in the spring of 2024, when TEAM IGEN was in Uganda visiting one of the NGOs we support here at igen.dk ; El Cambio Academy. Here we witnessed the enormous amounts of plastic waste that was scattered in nature, due to the lack of organized waste management in the country – the plastic floats freely and accumulates in large quantities. In our search for a better solution, we visited EcoBrix. A local organization that collects plastic and gives it new life again, by recycling it into products such as tables, chairs for schools, and building materials.

We quickly fell in love with their ambition to make a difference, but also with the products. But how do building materials fit in at IGEN, even if they are made from 100% recycled plastic? They don't, so the quest was to create a product that was both aesthetically pleasing, in line with IGEN's universe, and that could also fulfill a real function in our own everyday lives.

During our research, we found some children's play bricks that inspired us. From these bricks, we created our Candle Bricks – candle holders that, like building blocks, can be stacked and customized exactly to your wishes, which is why they got their name. They are both multifunctional and designed in the most beautiful colors, which are carefully selected, color-sorted, granulated and finally transformed into the unique products you see today.

Below we have collected a lot of information about our production, and we hope you will love learning a little more about our collaboration with EcoBrixs.

EcoBrixs was founded in 2017 as a direct response to Uganda’s serious plastic pollution challenges. Every day, over 600 tons of plastic are either burned or buried, often without any form of waste management, leading to serious environmental consequences, both for nature and people.

EcoBrixs has developed a circular business model that not only manages plastic waste, but also creates jobs and income opportunities for some of the most vulnerable groups in society. So far, the organization has created over 3,000 jobs, with women, young people and people with disabilities playing a central role. They pay local plastic collectors for every kilo of plastic they bring to EcoBrixs' facilities, where it is then recycled into a wide range of products, including our Candle Bricks candle holders.

This system has resulted in nearly 800 tons of plastic being recycled in areas like Masaka District and Lake Victoria—areas that were previously without any form of waste management. As part of this effort, EcoBrixs has also established Uganda’s first legally recognized union for plastic collectors, working to ensure fair trade principles and improved working conditions for these essential workers.

The financial support that EcoBrixs has generated is as impressive as their environmental efforts. The organization has reinvested over $640,000 into the local community, resulting in improved access to necessities like food, housing, and schooling for many families. In addition, they have established 44 Community Buy Back Centers, making it easy and accessible for local residents to drop off their plastic waste for recycling. Eco Brixs has also partnered with 29 schools through their Eco Clubs program, which teaches children about the importance of sustainability and recycling.

Innovation is the hallmark of EcoBrixs' work, which is clearly visible in their initiatives from start to finish. In 2022, they launched their first plastic collection boat, made entirely from 100% recycled plastic from EcoBrixs' facilities. The boat can collect up to 300 kg of plastic per trip, but its purpose is not only to clean up the heavily polluted Lake Victoria. It also aims to raise awareness among local communities about the importance of recycling and show how waste can be transformed into something of value.

EcoBrixs' work is living proof of how local initiatives can create global change. Their efforts have not only reduced plastic pollution in Uganda, but have also empowered local communities by providing jobs and improved living conditions. At IGEN, we are proud to partner with an organization that contributes to a more responsible future—environmentally, socially, and economically.