Kampala — BAJO Glass Project, based in Mukono, teaches the youth and communities to turn waste glass into valuable products.

Joseph Ssenono, a student of Ceramics at Kyambogo University, says he opted to do his internship at Bajo because Kyambogo lacks facilities that burn glass.

Bajo Glass recycles waste and broken bottles and all kinds of glass. The items are collected from waste materials, sorted, washed and put into a furnace where they are melted for 24 hours.

After melting, they are molded into unique products like glass blocks to use in construction, floor tiles, wall blocks, monuments, interior and exterior works, top tables, flower vases, lamp shades, cup-plates, vents, fencing poles, signposts, cooking materials, book covers and anything a client may desire.

Gavin Magode, the proprietor of Bajo, says it is a new area of art that Ugandan artists are not fully exploiting.

"Ugandans will no longer have to go to Nairobi to get glass-recycled products as has been the case," Magode adds.

He founded the project four years ago after training in China.

He started with glass blowing. Glass blowing is where glass is melted in a furnace and turned into any shape depending on the size and type of the mould being used.

Magode's talent and creativity can be seen at Conrad Plaza building on Entebbe Road which he designed on the outside floor at the entrance.

Apart from training, the project aims at transforming artistic ideas into industrial work. It also protects the environment and the public from waste.

"There is a lot of unutilised waste that contributes to environmental hazards. This glass project will employ many people and curb environmental degradation," he explains.

Apart from Kyambogo students who train there, Magode also trains and employs artists and the local community.