Frequently Asked Questions

What is WastePays?

WastePays is a mobile app that turns waste and recyclable-material collection in Uganda into an earning opportunity. Clients — individual households and corporate offices/businesses — hand over accepted materials to collection agents and get paid for it — in cash, to their mobile money wallet, or as airtime — and earn points they can redeem for rewards. Collection agents record these transactions in the app and can access wallet, payout, and loan features of their own.

Who can use WastePays?

WastePays is for individual household clients, corporate offices/businesses, and collection agents. Individual clients and authorised business representatives must be at least 18 years old. Collection agents go through an additional onboarding and review process before their account is approved. Get started by downloading the WastePays app.

Do you work with corporate offices and businesses?

Yes. Corporate offices and businesses can register as clients for regular or bulk material collection, alongside individual household clients. Businesses can also register as collection agents themselves, subject to the standard agent onboarding and review process.

How do I sign up or sign in?

First, download the WastePays app. You can then register with your email or phone number, or sign in with Google. Signing in with Google only shares your name and email address, used to match or create your WastePays account — see our Privacy Policy for details.

How does collection work?

Clients hand over accepted materials to collection agents, who record deliveries and offtakes through the WastePays app. These records are what drive your wallet balance and points.

What materials do you accept?

WastePays accepts the following material categories:

• Electronics (e-waste) — phones, computers, and other electronic devices and accessories.
• Plastics — including PET/PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS and other plastic packaging and items.
• Paper & cardboard — office paper, packaging, cartons and similar materials.
• Metals — scrap and recyclable metal items.
• Used cooking oil — from households, restaurants and food businesses.
• Home appliances & scrap — end-of-life appliances and related scrap.
• Expired plastic cards — expired bank, ID or similar cards. Please deactivate the card with your issuer and remove or destroy any sensitive data before handing it over — see our Privacy Policy for details.

Exact categories accepted may vary by collection agent or center — check with your agent or center if you're unsure whether a specific item qualifies. If you're handing over electronic devices, please back up and wipe your personal data first.

What happens to materials after collection?

Collected materials are processed or resold through our downstream partners. Plastics and paper/cardboard are typically sent to recycling factories; e-waste is refurbished in-house where feasible (currently the majority of e-waste volumes) or otherwise sent for scrap recycling; and used cooking oil is processed into biofuel/biodiesel. This routing reflects our current operations and may change over time.

How do agents pay clients for delivered materials?

When a collection agent records a client's delivery in the app, they choose how to pay for it — in cash on the spot, or digitally to the client's mobile money wallet or as mobile airtime. Deliveries also earn the client points based on the type and quantity of material collected, which can be redeemed separately for rewards once a minimum threshold is reached. The payment method used depends on the collection agent handling the delivery.

How do offtakes work, and how often can agents request one?

An offtake is when a collection agent sells their accumulated materials back to WastePays for pickup, separately from the deliveries clients bring in. When an agent has enough material accumulated, they submit an offtake request in the app with the material type, quantity, date and pickup location — there's no fixed schedule, so agents request one whenever they're ready. Once the offtake is reviewed and picked up, the agent is paid based on the quantity and current price per unit for that material.

How does the wallet work?

Collection activity earns a wallet balance. Wallet funding and payouts are processed through our third-party payment partners, and are subject to those partners' own checks and any applicable transaction limits.

How do points and redemptions work?

Collection activity can also earn points, which you can redeem for rewards through the app. Available rewards and redemption thresholds are shown to you in-app.

Are there fees for top-ups, payouts, or transactions?

Any fees applicable to top-ups, payouts, or other transactions are disclosed to you before you confirm the transaction — see our Terms of Use.

Can collection agents get a loan?

Eligible collection agents can request and repay loans through WastePays. Loan eligibility, fees, and repayment terms are presented to you at the time of the request.

How is my data used and protected?

We only use your information to operate WastePays and to meet our legal and regulatory obligations, and we apply safeguards to protect it. See our Privacy Policy for the full details on what we collect, how we use it, and your rights.

Who do I contact for help?

For account or transaction support, contact us at info@ecoplastile.com or ecolifeug@gmail.com, or call +256 393 248 288.